The use of normalization as a strategy in the sexual exploitation of children by adult offenders

Date

1997

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality

Abstract

In Canada, sexual activity between adults and children is both illegal and socially unacceptable. However, it is clear that such activity occurs, and that when it occurs, it frequently continues over a period of time, undetected by others and unreported by the child (Badgley Report, 1984; MacMillan et al., 1997). This paper addresses two questions about the sexual exploitation of children: 1) How does it happen?; 2) How does it continue undetected? Criminal events theory is used to answer these questions, and to specifically focus attention on the use of routinization or normalization by offenders as a means to facilitate their sexual exploitation of children and keep it from being detected or reported.

Description

Keywords

sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, victimization, exploitation, Canada, International Resources

Citation

Young, S. (1997). The use of normalization as a strategy in the sexual exploitation of children by adult offenders. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 6, 285-296.

DOI