Inquiry into juvenile sexual offenders in Sicily (2005-2009) psychopathology and specialized treatment

Abstract

Social preoccupation on adolescents victim of sexual abuse is recently increased according to a developed higher social awareness of the importance of relationship during childhood. The investigation has been carried out on 67 case files concerning sexual crimes made by juvenile offenders since 2005 to 2009 at Juvenile Court of Palermo.

Juvenile offenders live in deprived social contexts and they have often had adverse life events with important psychological consequences. 16,5 % of abusers have been victims of abuse in their past. The most common diagnosis trend is a personality disorder of the dramatic cluster, according to the DSM IV, or a personality “organization” expressing the vulnerability to developing a personality disorder. Thus from our research has been pointed out that, in the early stages of the proceeding, there weren’t any supportive or counseling therapeutic interventions focused on feelings of rage, fear, and suffering for stigmatization.