Female juvenile offenders account for less that 5 percent of reported sexual offenses, and very little information is known on this population, due to limited sample sizes, and the overall underestimating, that female juveniles are capable of sexual offenses (Kalogerakis, 1992; Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended, n.d.). Research on juvenile female offenders, indicates females and males have similar behaviors in their offenses, as both victimize younger children of the opposite sex. In comparison to non-offending juveniles groups, juvenile sexual offenders are likely to report more sexual experiences, including previous consenting ones, prior to a sexual offense (Kalogerakis, 1992, Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended, n.d.) Many of the reported incidents of sexual abuse were likely to occur in homes during babysitting. Furthermore, high rates of learning disabilities and poor academic achievements have been identified in 30-60 percent of juvenile offenders (Hunter, 1999; Kalogerakis, 1992; Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended, n.d.) Intellectual and cognitive impairments have also been identified in between one-quarter and one-third of these juveniles (Kalogerakis, 1992). Cognitive distortions and attributions have also been noted, mainly distortions prominent in abused children (e.g. reeducation of empathy, inability to recognize the emotions of others, and inability to perceive the perspective of others) (Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended, n.d.). Diagnosable psychiatric disorders including conduct disorder and antisocial traits (in up to 80 percent of the juveniles), and behavioral characteristics such as impulse control disorders, are present commonalities in juvenile sexual offenders (Hunter, 1999). Higher rates of depression were significant in juvenile sexual offenders, in comparison to the general juvenile population (Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended, n.d.).
Predisposing factors of juvenile sexual offenders have been identified, and are considered significant when examining this group.