Child Sexual Abuse
Perhaps the most disturbing of all sex abuse indicators is when child victims begin to molest children themselves. This is not to say that all sex abuse victims will become molesters. It is certainly true that a large portion of abuse victims develop adequate coping skills and do not offend. However, it must also be acknowledged that many children who have been abused will molest others. In a study conducted by Cavanagh Johnson in 1988, 49% of child sex offenders who began molesting between 4-13 years of age had documented histories of sexual abuse. Children who molest will exhibit certain behaviors that are indicative of abuse, including acting out sexually with younger children (especially in public), using force or secrecy as manipulations, and continuation of sexual behaviors despite being told to stop. Such children and their aggressive behavior will oftentimes be the subject of complaints by other children.
It is important to note that some children may exhibit indicators of abuse and not actually be victims. There are many root causes for the behaviors listed above that have nothing to do with sexual abuse, thus it is critical for juvenile officers and investigators to consider a totality of evidence and indicators.
