The purpose of this paper is to propose a qualitative study on the impacts of childhood sexual trauma in males, and what effects the trauma has on sexual predatorial behaviors as adults.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a qualitative study on the impacts of childhood sexual trauma in males, and what effects the trauma has on sexual predatorial behaviors as adults. The focus would be on current or previously incarcerated males charged with sexual related offenses. Sexual abuse in childhood is also known as child molestation and occurs when adults or older adolescents use a child for sexual gratification. There are more than 42 million survivors of sexual abuse in America and it is estimated that 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18 (Stats and Statistics, 2019). Four out of every 10 males incarcerated in the United States are doing time for sexually violent crimes and a recent study conducted on 91 males who had been sexually abused in childhood has shown that only 17.1 percent sought therapy to process and cope (Sexual Offenses and Offenders, 2018).

Research Topic and Research Question:

Research topic:

This research topic is catered to the forensic population, having either currently or previously been arrested and charged with sexual offenses. The main goal of this research is finding out how sexual trauma in male children effects future sexual predatory behavior as they become male adults. It is a common sense, psychologically educated assumption to think that those who have been sexually abused will go on to eventually become sexual predators. Yet, little research has been conducted with complete focus on sexual events alone, versus other violent actions or crimes.

Research question:

In what ways does sexual trauma in adolescent males influence the likeliness to commit sexual crimes as an adult?

Research population:

Adult male sex offenders 18 and older in the United States who have served, or are serving time, for sexual related violent offenses and were also childhood victims of ongoing sexual abuse. Participants can be of any ethnic background or sexual orientation. Participants can be of any level of education or socioeconomic background or class.

Qualitative method:

The method of research used would be quantitative measures. Research would be administered verbally or by paper survey where participants can answer questions through self-report. These questions would regard lived experiences of sexual abuse and the desire or urge to sexually abuse. Generally, 50 to 75 participants would be used on a voluntary basis. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, only professionals who have been trained specifically in work with sexual abuse victims would conduct interviews.

Implications for professional practice:

Results of the proposed research have the potential to help mental health professionals gain greater knowledge and ideas of the needs for therapeutic interventions in the forensic setting. This research could lead to greater focus on application and implementation of rehabilitation and trauma informed therapy services within the forensic setting. I believe the potential results can help develop therapeutic programs to treat the trauma and lessen the chances of re-offense and recidivism rates amongst this population. This research also sheds light on male victims and survivors of sexual trauma, whereas most research is catered to women being victims of sexual abuse.

Literature Review

Sexual Trauma Leads to Internal Turmoil

Sections of the book Sexual Assault Quick Reference 2e : For Health Care, Social Service, and Law Enforcement Professionals describe in detail the signs and behaviors of sexual abuse of in adolescents and the indicators of future sexual behaviors of victims. It has been studied and resulted that one third of child sexual assault victims will exhibit future sexualized behavioral problems (Faugno, D., et al., 2016). In cases of traumatic sexualization, this can include sexual preoccupation at a young age, distorted views of appropriate sexual activity, sexual aggression, and sexual dysfunction as adults. Children and adolescent may begin to make sexual advances far beyond their years, this can mean inappropriate gestures to adults and peers; this behavior is usually forced upon others. In retrospect, these findings show there are major psychological implications with sexual abuse, and this supports the idea that sexual victimization as a child can lead to later forced sexual activity by past victims as adults; we know untreated issues in childhood can linger well into adulthood, so it makes sense that a young male who was sexually abused, especially traumatically or by force, would be more likely to carry out acts of sexual dysfunction as an adult. Sexual predatorial behavior, such as rape and acts of molestations are categorized as sexual dysfunctions.

Adolescent Sex Abuse Increases Predatorial Behavior

An article entitled Differences Between Sexually Victimized and Nonsexually Victimized Male Adolescent Sexual Abusers: Developmental Antecedents and Behavioral Comparisons entails a study that was conducted in the Midwest to compare offenders who were sexually victimized and nonsexually victimized as male adolescents; there were a number of variables used. Self-report measures were administered to 325 male sexually abusive males at six residential facilities and results revealed that 65% of abusers reported adolescent sexual victimization (Burton D.L., et al., 2011) This strongly indicates that sexually victimized sexual abusers have more severe developmental antecedents (trauma, family characteristics, early exposure to pornography and personality) and recent behavioral difficulties (characteristics of sexual aggression, sexual arousal, use of pornography, and nonsexual criminal behavior) than the nonsexually victimized group. This study indicates that adolescents that were sexually abused have an increased risk of later sexually aggressive and sexually violent behavior.

Arrest and Recidivism Amongst Sexual Abuse Victims

Sex Offenders in the Community : Managing and Reducing the Risks discusses a study conducted on 1,087 male inmates who were arrested and charged as first time sexually violent predators (child molestation, rape, lewd and lascivious acts) it was found that 678 went on to be released and eventually reoffend. Sixty five percent of those inmates self-reported abuse or neglect as children in their homes, but not necessarily sexual abuse. This could indicate that any type of child abuse or neglect can increase chances of inappropriate sexual behavior as an adult. Statistically, this study does not necessarily support the thought that violent sexual victimization in childhood is a direct indicator of adult sexually predatory behavior, but more so and indicator of all an all-around increase for arrest and breaking general laws. However, out of 1087 inmates, a previous minor assault of a female led to 12 times more likeliness of a later convictions of serious sexual assault; past exposure and victimization does implicate future behavior (Matravers, A., 2003).

Similarities and Differences Between Key Themes

Commonalities in each study are definitely the major similarities in statistical evidence. The data clearly supports the idea that child sexual abuse leads to sexual predatory behavior later on in life; not only does it increase the chances of violent sexual acts as an adult, but the research studied mentioned in the literature review reveal various ways childhood sexual abuse effects victims as a whole. All literature reviews state the clear effects of sexual abuse on behavior; sexual inappropriate behavior, age inappropriate sexual knowledge, aggression, depression, inappropriate behavior in social setting seems to be common factors throughout each literature review, which supports the adverse mental and behavioral effects of childhood sexual trauma. One difference in studies to be noted is the lack of research that can tell whether or not child sexual abuse distinctly leads to adult sexual predatory behavior, it is suggested or implied that all childhood abuse can affect sexual behavior later and life. This hypothesis should be further broken down and studied to test validity.

How Current Literature Informs Your Topic and/or Population

Although most of the literature and studies published focus on female victims and outcomes related to heterosexual encounters, there were a few very in-depth studies on sexual trauma that focused solely on male victims and offenders. Current studies and research bring to light and skim the surface of the problem of child sexual abuse in America and show clear clinical implications of great need for further research surrounding this topic and effected populations. Current literature gives cleat numbers and percentages as far as how many sexually abused male children and adultescent go on to abuse others. One study alone informs that 65 percent of male childhood sex abuse victims will go on to be arrested for sexual predatory behaviors, not once, but two times or more. Only a small percentage of sexually abused male children are ever given the needed treatment and therapy to work through and process the trauma that has been endured through sexual abuse. Current literature concretes the issues and justifies looking deeper into adult sexual behaviors.

Summary of Research Findings

To summarize research findings found and supported by the literature reviews, it has been empirically proven and supported that childhood sexual abuse and trauma has a clear effect and influence on adult sexual behavior, especially when victimization goes unaddressed and untreated. Well over half of all adult sexual offenders (65 %) were sexually abused as children, yet there is little research or resources that cater to the male victim. This is a clear indication of why so many sexually abused male children end up in the forensic setting and as sexually predative adults. With most focus on female victimization, research findings implicate need for more male focused research and resources.

References

Burton DL, Duty KJ, & Leibowitz GS. (2011). Differences between sexually victimized and nonsexually victimized male adolescent sexual abusers: developmental antecedents and behavioral comparisons. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 20(1), 77–93. https://doi-org.hnu.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/10538712.2011.541010

Faugno, D., Speck, P. M., Spencer, M., & Giardino, A. (2016). Sexual assault quick reference 2e: for health care, social service, and law enforcement professionals (2nd ed.). STM Learning. https://public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=5261869.

Matravers, A. (Ed.). (2005). Sex offenders in the community : Managing and reducing the risks. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.hnu.idm.oclc.org

Sexual offenses and offenders. (2018). Retrieved from https://bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/SOO.PDF

Stats and statistics. (2019). Retrieved from https://laurenskids.org/awareness/about-faqs/facts-and-stats/