Differentiating Pedophilia from Ephebophilia in Cleric Offenders

Abstract

John Jay College of Criminal Justice was commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to conduct a national survey to determine the nature and extent of child sexual abuse by clergy. Using data collected in this survey, this study examined factors that differentiated between pedophile and ephebophile offenders. Significant differences were found between these groups in regard to their personal history and offending behaviors.

The authors would like to thank Margaret Smith, John Jay College, for her assistance with this project and for her thoughtful editorial comments.