Sexually Aggressive Children

This text explores the subject of sexual abuse by pre-teen offenders. It examines the factors that contribute toward sexually abusive behaviour in young children. It also identifies nine programmes and practices that have been designed to treat offenders on an individual, family or group basis.

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In an accessible and sensitive fashion, Sexually Aggressive Children provides a comprehensive overview of sexual abuse perpetrated by children 12 years old and younger. Drawing attention to this frequently overlooked population, author Sharon K. Araji explores the familial, extrafamilial, and situtational factors conducive to various types of sexual abuse by children so young. For professionals and researchers forced to consider sexually aggressive acts by children as young as 2 or 3, this book examines the theories and frameworks used to explain this kind of behavior and outlines their associated social and psychological characteristics. Araji identifies nine programs and practices designed by therapists treating individuals, families, and groups dealing with preadolescent sexually aggressive behavior and concludes with an assessment on the reporting and investigation of cases. Sexually Aggressive Children also adds recommendations for closing the current gaps in both the social and criminal justice systems that impede the appropriate identification, processing, and treatment of sexually aggressive children. This book will help researchers and professionals to coordinate efforts to successfully address how to deal with sexually aggressive children. Sexually Aggressive Children will be a valuable resource for all those in the multidisciplinary fields of child abuse and interpersonal violence, including academics and practitioners in social work, clinical/counseling psychology, and criminology/criminal justice.