Are Juvenile Sex Offense Cases On The Rise?
A recent Associated Press investigation of national sex offender statistics suggests that young people are more likely to become violent sex offenders than ever before. While adult sex offenses have been on the decline, falling more than 55 percent between 1993 and 2004, the AP study found that the number of minors accused of violent and non-violent sex crimes has risen from just over 24,000 in 1985 to over nearly 34,000 in 2004 alone.
While some psychologists and specialists believe that the numbers are even higher than the survey suggests due to unreported child-on-child sexual violence, others claim that the study is misleading. The last decade has brought tougher sentencing and increased media attention to sex offender cases, including the prevalence of sex offender maps and registration programs, a rise that may lead to increased reporting of suspected sex offenses. These improved reporting programs and the nationwide media hype about sex offenses might be inflating the statistics.
Experts are conflicted as to the reason for these rising numbers. Some blame sexual and violent imagery available through television, movies and video games, while others cite better public awareness of what constitutes a sex crime. In addition, those who were sexually victimized during their childhood are more likely to commit sex crimes as adults, a cycle that could lead to increasing sex offender numbers and a vicious cycle. While unfounded sex offense claims can ruin the lives and reputations of the accused perpetrators, underreporting is a problem that plagues law enforcement officials, who estimate that a mere 28 percent of sex offenses are reported to authorities.
In any case, the numbers are staggering: not only is there a 40 percent rise in accusations of juvenile sex offenses, but the AP study suggests that one in two sex offenders began their behavior while still a minor.
If you have been charged with a sex crime in New Jersey, please contact the firm of Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. for a free case evaluation. Our aggressive sex crime defense attorneys will use our extensive criminal law knowledge to defend your rights.
