Sexual Homicide of Children: A New Classification

The sexual homicide of a child is an unusual event, and very few studies have been conducted on the topic. Previous studies have mainly focused on the differences between sexual homicide of child and adult victims. The current study aims to identify a typology of sexual homicide of children based on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology Vol. 63; no. 9; pp. 1681 - 1704
Main Authors: Chopin, Julien, Beauregard, Eric
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.07.2019
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Age Factors
Child
Child, Preschool
Children
Classification
Cluster analysis
Correlation of Data
Criminal investigations
Criminals - classification
Criminals - legislation & jurisprudence
Female
France
Homicide
Homicide - classification
Homicide - legislation & jurisprudence
Homicide - prevention & control
Humans
Male
Murders & murder attempts
Offenders
Risk Factors
Sex Offenses - classification
Sex Offenses - legislation & jurisprudence
Sex Offenses - prevention & control
Typology
Victims
France
child victims
sexual homicide
offender characteristics
classification
modus operandi
ISSN:0306-624X, 1552-6933, 1552-6933
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The sexual homicide of a child is an unusual event, and very few studies have been conducted on the topic. Previous studies have mainly focused on the differences between sexual homicide of child and adult victims. The current study aims to identify a typology of sexual homicide of children based on modus operandi, offenders’ and victims’ characteristics. Using two-step cluster analysis on a sample of 72 cases of extra familial sexual homicide of children (aged 16 years or below) from France, six clusters have been identified on the basis of eight modus operandi variables: intentional/prepubescent, inadvertent/prepubescent, intentional/preteen, inadvertent/preteen, indiscriminate/teen, and intentional/teen. External validity of the classification was tested using 51 additional variables related to victims, offenders, and other modus operandi characteristics. Findings showed that sexual homicide of children is a heterogeneous phenomenon, largely influenced by the actual age of the victim and the type of violence used. Implications of the findings are discussed considering prevention, criminal investigation, and correctional practices.
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ISSN:0306-624X
1552-6933
1552-6933
DOI:10.1177/0306624X19834419