Are Juvenile Sex Offenders A Danger to Society: Examining the Public Perception Surrounding the Recidivism Rates of Juveniles

Abstract

A body of research exists assessing public opinion on punishing juvenile sex-offenders. Some researchers find a strong public consensus for increasing the severity of punishment for these juvenile offenders, and findings show that juvenile sex offenders are frequently punished more harshly than non-sex offenders. However, this policy is challenged by a growing body of research providing evidence that juvenile sex offenders actually have lower rates of recidivism than non-sex offenders, which logically would merit lessening those sanctions. This paper will examine the literature on recidivism rates among juveniles who commit three types of offenses, in an effort to compare recidivism among offending groups, with the purpose of exploring the validity and utility of justifications for harsh sanctions. The offense-categories studied include 1) general offenses, 2) drug related offenses, and 3) sex offenses. Additionally, risk-factors associated with juvenile offending will be pursued to further explain the wisdom of harsh sanctions for various crimes.