Factors associated with recidivism among intrafamilial child molesters

Abstract

This study examined factors that could potentially differentiate between sexual, violent and criminal recidivist and non-recidivist incest offenders (n=295). The objective of the study was to extend a previous study conducted on incest offenders by increasing the sample size, adding seven years to the follow-up and attempting to address some of the limitations identified in the previous study. Results indicated, that by the end of the 19th year (mean=10.78), 9.8%, 20% and 27.5% of incest offenders were charged or convicted of a sexual, violent or criminal offence, respectively. This study identified a number of predictor variables demonstrating either moderate or strong associations with recidivism (i.e. Cohen's effect size), some of which are changeable and, thus, should be considered important treatment targets for this type of offender. Specifically, sexual recidivists had higher psychopathy scores than non-recidivists. Violent recidivists were younger, demonstrated more problems with alcoholism, were more hostile, had higher psychopathy scores and had more previous criminal charges and/or convictions than non-recidivists. Finally, criminal recidivists were younger, demonstrated more problems with alcoholism, were more hostile, had higher psychopathy scores and had more previous violent and criminal charges and/or convictions than non-recidivists.

Keywords:

• Incest offender
• child molesters
• sex offender
• recidivism
• predictors

Acknowledgements

This research was supported, in part, by the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada. The views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada. The authors would like to thank Dr Kevin Nunes and Dr Pamela Yates for their very helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.