Is there someone there? : support in the lives of adolescent sexual offenders
Date
1994
Authors
Burke, Susan Joan
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Abstract
The increase in numbers of adolescents who sexually offend has become a public concern over the past 10 to 15 years. The literature regarding adolescent sexual offenders has given little voice to the youths themselves. One of the most critical times for decreasing the likelihood of recidivism in adolescent sex offenders is while offenders are reestablishing themselves in their communities after serving their sentence. Support, whether it is informal or formal, may be an important factor that helps determine if the youth will or will not re-offend sexually. To date little is known about the experience of support for sexually offending youths. This study explored the phenomenon of support in the lived experience of adolescent sex offenders. Specifically, the research question which guided this study was: what are the experiences of support of four adolescent sexual offenders in Saskatchewan?
A phenomenological methodology was used to collect and analyze conversational data from interviews with four adolescent sexual offenders. The findings of this study describe the experience of support in these youths' lives. Four themes emerged from the interviews in relation to the experience of support. These themes were; Living a Lie, Is There Someone There, I Take Care of Myself, and It all Takes Time. Findings indicate that living a lie permeates most interactions these youthful offenders have. Availability and accessibility of supportive people in these youths' lives are identified as essential to feeling supported as described in the theme is these someone there. Independence and sense of self described in the theme I take care of myself, are discussed by the youths as components of support. It all takes time addresses the process aspect of receiving and utilizing support.
The results of this study were compared to research in the fields of adolescent sexual offenders, social support and children and youths in care of the child welfare system. Comparisons revealed that many of the findings of this study are identifiable in the literature and research in the field. However, several new areas for research are revealed by this studies findings. This study includes the voice of youth and recommendations for further research, as well as implications for practice with respect to adolescent sexual offenders.