The Relationship between Sex Offender Height and Pedophilic Interest. Issue 12 (2nd December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levenson, Jill S.; Ackerman, Alissa R.
• Is Part Of: Deviant behavior. Volume 38:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 1383
• Page End: 1392
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02
• Subjects: Deviant behavior -- Periodicals; 302.54205
• DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2016.1254986
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9625

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The current study examined the relationship between offender height and pedophilic interest (as measured by having a victim under 13 years old) in a sample of 22, 228 registered sex offenders in the United States. Results revealed that offenders with victims age 12 and under were, on average, nearly one-quarter inch shorter than offenders of adults, and .18 inches shorter than those with minor teen victims. Implications for future research about the biological etiology of child sexual abuse perpetration are discussed, including the role of adverse childhood experiences in the neurodevelopment of offenders.