The assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with sexually abusive behavior.

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The assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with sexually abusive behavior requires an understanding of normal sexual development. A multiplicity of biological and psychosocial factors determines the child's sexual development, gender role, sexual orientation, patterns of sexual arousal, sexual cognitions, sexual socialization, and the integration of sexual and aggressive patterns of behavior. The individual's sexuality evolves in concert and as a result of interaction with family, ethnic, social, and cultural influences. These parameters summarize what we know about the epidemiology and phenomenology of sexually abusive youths and provide guidelines for the assessment and the selection of treatment interventions for these youths. Essential considerations in the assessment and treatment of sexually abusive youths, as well as the different categories of sexually abusive youths which should be recognized and which influence treatment decisions, are presented. The spectrum of currently available psy chosocial and biological treatments will be summarized. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1999, 38(12 Supplement):55S--76S. Key Words: juvenile, sex, sexual abuse, sex offender, practice parameters, guidelines, children, adolescents.

There is evidence of a significant increase in the reports of juvenile sexual aggression and sexual abuse. Sexual assault is one of the fastest-growing violent crimes in the United States.