"With the increasing legislative focus on juvenile sex offenders, it is imperative that policymakers understand more about who they are, why they abuse, and their likelihood of recidivating. This book is an excellent source of research on the juvenile sex offender population and is an invaluable tool for those studying or working with this population in any capacity." -- Karen J. Terry, PhD, Associate Professor and Executive Officer Criminal Justice Doctoral Program, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice "Despite public outcry about sex offending over the past decade, almost all of the scholarly attention has been focused on adult sex offenders. This book goes a long way toward filling the void. In the process, the authors reveal how juvenile sex offenders differ from adult sex offenders and, hence, require different strategies for addressing them. This book effectively blends the latest information from researchers, treatment specialists, and law enforcement officials. Throughout, the authors critically examine current policies and practices regarding juvenile sex offenders, suggesting many possible improvements." -- Mark Stafford, Professor, Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin "Gibson and Vandiver put together what we know about these juveniles in a remarkable way. Their book is readable, thorough, and practical. Their discussion of the myths, realities and reaction to juvenile sex offenders is as complete a coverage as I have seen and their proposed solutions are indeed thoughtful ones. I can only hope that the book is successful because a more knowledgeable public might help to overcome the Draconian policies and legislation created in today's politically charged atmosphere." -- Frank P. Williams III, Professor of Criminal Justice, University of Houston-Downtown

Despite the fact that media bombard the public with the notion that sex offenders are everywhere-and could be just next door—official sources show that official sex offense rates have been steadily declining over the past 10 years. Yet, when a juvenile is accused of a sexually-based crime, media attention is swift and relentless. The truth about juvenile sex offenders is often, therefore, misunderstood. In many cases, such offenders are victims themselves. Here, Gibson and Vandiver reveal the truth about juvenile sex offenders and what can be done to help them and to prevent the cycle of abuse that leads to such tragic outcomes.

This book sets the records straight about juvenile sex offending. It provides accurate, up-to-date statistics, real life cases, and information about offender characteristics, victim characteristics, family factors, social issues, media involvement, and other related areas. It offers explanations for juvenile sex offending from a variety of perspectives and reviews legal and criminal responses to the problem. Included are discussions of female offenders, punitive measures to prevent repeat offenses, and other steps the federal government and individual states are taking to address the problem. The authors conclude with advice on how to protect children from becoming victims and how to prevent sexual offending in the first place.