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Abstract
In this study we explored differences and similarities in criminal behaviour between incarcerated adolescents who committed sexual and non-sexual crimes with adolescents who committed only non-sexual crimes. Cross-sectional data on 606 adolescents were collected at two points in time (five years apart) from residential treatment facilities in the USA. After controlling for all the other variables (data collection site/time, race and poverty) in a model using logistic regression, general delinquency and property damage significantly predicted membership in the juvenile sexual offender group whereas felony theft and selling drugs significantly predicted membership in the non-sexual offender group (χ2 = 91.80, p < .001; Naglekerke = .278). A large number of juvenile sex offenders had also committed serious non-sexual crimes. These findings highlight a need for practitioners and researchers in juvenile justice to address non-sexual and sexual behavioural challenges among adolescent sexual offenders.