Date of Graduation

1997

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Twenty-three (23) incarcerated male adolescent sex offenders participated in structured interviews about their experiences as both victims and perpetrators of sexual assault. Data were analyzed for indications that some perpetrators use their offenses to reenact their victimization experiences in an effort to achieve mastery over their own sexual traumata. Data were also evaluated for evidence of differential victimization histories by molesters and rapists. Significant relationships were found between victimization and offense experiences, including the selection by offenders of victims who were the same race as the perpetrators against them, the recurrence in offenses of two types of sexual activity--simulated intercourse and oral sex by the victim--which occurred in the victimizations, and the intent by perpetrators to elicit orgasm in their victims. Relationships between victimization and offense experiences diminished in intensity after the first offense. In general, molesters were victimized at an earlier age than rapists, and felt powerless and out of control at the time; whereas rapists were victimized later and felt more in control. Insufficient information emerged to draw any sound conclusions about reenactment. Findings in all areas provided enough preliminary support to merit further investigation. Support is offered both for Browne and Finkelhor's traumagenic dynamics model of response to sexual victimization and for Groth's typology of offenders, although sampling difficulties limit the generality of the findings. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical and practical implications. Directions are offered for future research based on the findings, with special emphasis on maintaining a developmental perspective in design and analysis.

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