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Prevalence and attitudinal predictors of child sexual offending in a non-forensic sample of South African high school males
Abstract
Objective — The prevalence, and
attitudinal predictors, of sexual aggression were examined in a non-forensic
sample of South African high school males.
Method — Survey questionnaires were
administered to 446 males (aged 16 to 25 years) attending schools in the
greater Durban area, South Africa.
Results — A history of sexually
aggressive behaviour was reported by 66.8% of respondents, with 17.5% reporting
an act of sexual aggression that met the legal definition of rape or attempted
rape. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant relationship
between sexually abusive behaviour and attitudes supportive of both sexual
and physical aggression. Additionally, a tendency to attribute blame to the
victim of sexual aggression and attitudes reflecting an internalised culture
of violence significantly discriminated between respondents who committed
rape/attempted rape, indecent assault, and crimen injuria.
Conclusions — These findings indicate
relatively high rates of sexual offending among South African high school
males and suggest that primary prevention programmes are likely to be most
effective if they target attitudes supportive of both sexual and physical
violence.
Journal of Child and
Adolescent Mental Health 2003, 15(1): 27-32
attitudinal predictors, of sexual aggression were examined in a non-forensic
sample of South African high school males.
Method — Survey questionnaires were
administered to 446 males (aged 16 to 25 years) attending schools in the
greater Durban area, South Africa.
Results — A history of sexually
aggressive behaviour was reported by 66.8% of respondents, with 17.5% reporting
an act of sexual aggression that met the legal definition of rape or attempted
rape. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated a significant relationship
between sexually abusive behaviour and attitudes supportive of both sexual
and physical aggression. Additionally, a tendency to attribute blame to the
victim of sexual aggression and attitudes reflecting an internalised culture
of violence significantly discriminated between respondents who committed
rape/attempted rape, indecent assault, and crimen injuria.
Conclusions — These findings indicate
relatively high rates of sexual offending among South African high school
males and suggest that primary prevention programmes are likely to be most
effective if they target attitudes supportive of both sexual and physical
violence.
Journal of Child and
Adolescent Mental Health 2003, 15(1): 27-32
