Characteristics of perpetrators with histories of sexual abuse

The literature suggests that the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among sexual perpetrators is higher than that found among the general male population. However there is a paucity; of empirical research comparing sexual perpetrators to other perpetrators and community samples. Research on the specific characteristics of sexual abuse experiences is limited. The purpose of the present exploratory study was to further examine the cycle of sexual abuse in a sample of 42 males with histories of sexual abuse. Sexual perpetrators, nonsexual perpetrators, and nonperpetrators completed a sexual victimization survey on the nature of their abuse experiences. Findings revealed a considerably higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among sexual perpetrators with the abuse generally being more extensive and severe in nature. Results appear to lend support to the sexual abuse cycle and may have important implications for clinicians and researchers involved in fire sexual abuse area.