PATTERN OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE BY YOUNG AGGRESSORS

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether sexual victim ization of children by young aggressors differs from adult aggressors. Method: A case review was performed on medical records of children le ss than 12 years of age referred in 1992 to the Child Protection Clini c at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Results: Medical evaluation f or sexual abuse was carried out on 316 children, 79% girls, 21% boys, mean age 6 +/- 2.7 years. Among known perpetrators, 39 were less than 16 years and 15 were between 16 and 19 years old. Young aggressors wer e more likely to abuse older female victims (p = .0009). They also wer e reported to engage in more genital/genital and genital/anal acts (p < .001). The aggressor's young age was found to be an important determ inant related to a history of penetrative forms of sexual abuse (OR = 4.015, 95% C.I. 2.0581; 7.8319). Genital examination was specific for abuse (Adam's Class IV or V) in only 6.3% of victims, but significantl y more often when the perpetrator was between 16-19 years old (p = .00 3). Conclusions: Adolescent aggressors appear to engage in more genita l/genital and genital/anal sexual abuse than older aggressors. Victims of aggressors age 16 to 19 had a higher risk of having specific findi ngs on the anal/genital examination. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.