title: Sex offending among juveniles: development and response.
abstract: This article provides the health care provider with information on normal and aberrant sexual activity in children. It examines the characteristics and risk factors associated with juvenile sex offending behaviors and summarizes treatment approaches taken with children who molest. The primary issues in determining when a child's sexual behavior is abusive include the absence of equality and consent and the presence of coercion. Other than the loss of a parental figure and the presence of emotional problems, few demographic or specific psychologic variables distinguish juvenile offenders for their nonoffending peers. Thus offenders typically come to the attention of health care providers indirectly through their victims.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smiljanich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data