The aim of the present study was to describe the population of juvenile sex offenders in the Canton of Zurich by a retrospective analysis of a consecutive sample of the police and judicial records between 2000 and 2008. Offence characteristics have been studied and compared to demographic and psychopathological factors of the adolescent offenders. Reoffence risk was assessed by the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (J-SOAP-II) and compared to sexual and general recidivism.

A youth-adapted version of the Forensic-Psychiatric Documentation System (FDPS) has been used for data collection. Recidivism has been assessed by the official crime database of the Canton of Zurich until October 2009.

Preliminary results show that the population of juvenile sex offenders is of heterogeneous nature. Intensity of sexual behavior and violence varies significantly in the sample (N = 351). Mostly the juvenile offenders have been arrested after committing one criminal act (56.4%). With exception of pornographic offences (35.9%), sexual coercion (32.8%) and sexual assaults against children (27.4%) were the most frequent crimes. Psychiatric assessments of the most serious juvenile offenders found frequent behavioral (43.6%) and emotional disorders (18.1%) but only one case of paraphilia. Results of risk assessment and recidivism are in preparation and will be added to the final presentation.

Juvenile sex offenders are a complex population and can not been compared to adult offenders according to offence characteristics and crime motivation. Developmental factors have to be included when assessing and treating juvenile sex offenders.