hood sexual abuse (Vadasy, 1989). Thus, the study will expand the existing literature by including information on the commission of non-sexual abusive crimes by victims of childhood sexual abuse.
The study also has significance in that it provides additional information on childhood sexual abuse and its consequences. In order to understand the significance of this information, it is important to realize that the scope of the problem of childhood sexual abuse is extensive. For example, Tomlinson-Keasey (1985) has reported that about 10 percent of all cases of abuse (around 1 million cases per year) are incidents of sexual abuse; and that, furthermore, these statistics are probably low estimates due to the fact that many cases go unreported.
In addition, the consequences of childhood sexual abuse can be severe including such behavioral problems and consequences as low self-esteem, depression, guilt feelings, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, hostility, lack of trust and substance abuse (Jehu-Derek & Klassen, 1985). Thus, any study exploring for additional insight into childhood sexual abuse has significance in that it can supply information toward reducing the scope of this problem.
Another reason that this study has significance relates to the need for continuing research in the characteristics of the adolescent offender. Fehrenback (1986) has noted that there is very little clinical and data-based literature on adolescents who commit sexual offenses and/or other abusive crimes. Thus, the proposed study has significance in that it expands the existing body of knowledge by contributing information in an area where existing knowledge is sparse.
This study examined for relationships between several factors in the childhood sexual abuse victim-victimizer relationship. The examination utilized a sample of 40 adolescent convicted criminal offenders in cases of sexual or other abusive crimes. Offenders were interviewed (using a ...