A systematic review of criminogenic factors of intrafamilial and extrafamilial child sexual abuse

Abstract

As previous research shows the rates of child sexual abuse are overly static, with all the previous research we are still unable to help prevent such a traumatic moment in a child's life. The present study compares and contrasts criminogenic factors of intrafamilial and extrafamilial child sexual offenders. This study took eleven common factors of child sex offenders and observed how they are linked to one another as well as how they relate back to the offense. These criminogenic factors include; neglect, physical and sexual abuse, poor parental attachments, hypersexual lifestyles, sexual role and masculinity, disinhibition, atypical sexual tendencies, social incompetence, cognitive distortions, social isolation, and low self-esteem. When it comes to child sexual abuse there are two primary victimologies at play, intrafamilial and extrafamilial victims. Intrafamilial offenders are family members, this often includes those who are blood-related for example; parents, aunts and uncles, step-parents, and even siblings. Extrafamilial offenders are those who are not related to their victims, this often includes coaches, scout leaders, religious leaders, teachers, and strangers. This study is a systematic literature review aiming to identify and compare criminogenic factors of both intrafamilial and extrafamilial child sexual offenders, and to describe the typical profiles of child sex offenders based on the eleven chosen criminogenic factors. By conducting a systematic review we are able to get unbiased results and critique previous literature. This study is looking at child sexual abuse using; social learning theory, social bonds theory, and routine activity theory.