A systematic review examining the link between sexual victimization in childhood and later adolescent offending

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review is to investigate and establish the correlation between sexual victimization suffered during childhood and later deviant behavior among juveniles. This paper aims to examine whether children subjected to sexual abuse are significantly more predisposed towards engaging in delinquent behavior during their formative years compared to those who have not undergone such traumatic experiences and whether specific crime patterns can be identified within this demographic and analyze how they vary from traditional criminal behavior. The study conducted an extensive review and synthesis of relevant empirical studies published between 2011-2023 to identify whether children who experience sexual abuse are more predisposed to engage in delinquent behavior during their formative years. To effectively identify individuals who have committed juvenile crimes after experiencing childhood sexual victimization, a comprehensive demographic profile was meticulously devised. The initial search yielded over 127,000 academic literature and publications, but only 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review critically evaluates the existing literature, highlighting methodological and statistical limitations and proposing avenues for further research to address knowledge gaps. This review shows that childhood sexual victimization strongly correlates with juvenile crime. It highlights key themes, including links to future sexual offenses, substance abuse and antisocial behavior. The studies also suggest that the severity and duration of the victimization predict later criminal activity in juveniles. However, further academic investigation is essential to understand the effects of childhood sexual victimization on non-delinquent minors and those without prior encounters with law enforcement.