More than one third of those who sexually abuse kids are juveniles

A new study from the University of New Hampshire Crimes against Children Research Center has found that more than one third of those who sexually abuse children are other juveniles.

UNH researchers found that juveniles account for more than one-third (35.6%) of those known to police to have committed sex offenses against minors. And juveniles who commit sex offenses against other children are more likely than adult sex offenders to offend in groups, at schools, and to have more male and younger victims.

The new research is presented in a US Department of Justice bulletin "Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors."

"With all the anxiety about predators and pedophiles, we don't orient enough of our prevention thinking to reducing the risk of sexual abuse at the hands of other children. We have good evidence-based programs known to reduce sexually aggressive behavior in children. More communities ought to make these programs available," said David Finkelhor, director of the UNH Crimes against Children Research Center and the study director.