title: Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Lives of Male Sex Offenders: Implications for Trauma-Informed Care.
abstract: This study explored the prevalence of childhood trauma in a sample of male sexual offenders (N = 679) using the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scale. Compared with males in the general population, sex offenders had more than 3 times the odds of child sexual abuse (CSA), nearly twice the odds of physical abuse, 13 times the odds of verbal abuse, and more than 4 times the odds of emotional neglect and coming from a broken home. Less than 16% endorsed zero ACEs and nearly half endorsed four or more. Multiple maltreatments often co-occurred with other types of household dysfunction, suggesting that many sex offenders were raised within a disordered social environment. Higher ACE scores were associated with higher risk scores. By enhancing our understanding of the frequency and correlates of early adverse experiences, we can better devise trauma-informed interventions that respond to the clinical needs of sex offender clients.
authors.affiliation: Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL, USA levenson.jill@bellsouth.net.
authors.forename: Jill S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Levenson
authors.affiliation: The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Gwenda M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: Becket Family of Services, Falmouth, ME, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: adverse childhood experiences; sexual offender treatment; trauma-informed care