New research by Griffith University in Queensland has confirmed that which may seem obvious to many: that boys who have been exposed to violence in the home are far more likely to commit sexual offences.
The research emphasises two important points which can inform government policy and expenditure.
The first is that being exposed to violence is a contributing factor when it comes to sexual offending – a finding that supports calls for greater funding of intervention programs.
The second is that punitive responses punitive responses to youth offending are counter-productive in so far as they do not reduce re-offending, but rather increase them.
Offenders are victims themselves
The research shows that almost 60% of boys referred to a Queensland forensic service for sexual assault offences were exposed to domestic or family violence before they offended, or suffered emotional neglect, or had a caregiver who engaged in substance abuse.
