There is a predominant narrative perpetuated throughout America regarding the perceived dangerousness of individuals who commit sexual crimes. The enactment of registration and notification legislation has perpetuated community-wide risk aversive responses. Juveniles are similarly subjected to such reactions irrespective of context and development. As the research base continuously develops, we are learning more about etiology and factors that increase risk for recidivism. In understanding sexual offending as either a subset of delinquency or a more specialized form of serious externalizing behavior problems, comparative research has identified common and unique developmental pathways.
There is strong evidence underlying the effects of trauma and victimization in initiating sexual abuse. Evidence also identifies family ecology as a factor that largely influences the development and maintenance of sexually harmful behaviors. In this seminar, we will explore many of the family environments that contribute to offending. We will also dissect some of the research on effects of victimization and attachment. As we learn more about risk and protection within youths’ ecology, the field is adapting service delivery responses accordingly. We will explore how risk and protective factors translate into practice, and discuss some of the evidence behind common services delivered in community and residential settings.
Dr. Jamie Yoder earned her PhD from the University of Denver. As a doctoral student, she was awarded the Enid Cox Fellowship to pursue scholarship endeavors. Dr. Yoder has worked as a research assistant for the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board, and continues to be part of a multidisciplinary research team devoted to evaluating services for sexually abusive youth. She earned her BA from Ohio University in 2005 and her MSW from The University of Cincinnati in 2008. Her research interests include etiology with a particular focus on familial and trauma correlates, conceptual ideologies, prevention initiatives, and avenues of equitable and effective intervention strategies for delinquent and sexually abusive youth. Dr. Yoder's primary research interests include: youth sexual offenders; delinquency; family treatment; trauma and victimization.
