[Is there an association between intra-familiar sexual abuse and sexual offences in later life?]

Abstract

Objective: 12-35% of all sexual delinquents report victimization through early sexual abuse. To date, studies are based on small samples and mostly come from English-language countries.

Methods: As part of an interdisciplinary study on the human rights situation in long-term imprisonment, we examined 1,055 prisoners from 11 countries in Europe with the posttraumatic stress diagnostic scale (PDS) concerning their traumas in relation to their offences.

Results: Sexual delinquents who reported own prior sexual abuse within the family had a fourfold increase in committing sexual offences later in their life compared to other offenders.

Conclusions: A detailed trauma history which includes sexual offences within the family is essential for adequate therapy and relapse prevention.