Profile of minor perpetrators of sexual abuse

ABSTRACT

This study looks at the demographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnoses of minor perpetrators of sexual abuse. Subjects of the study were all minor perpetrators seen at the Child Protection Unit of the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital from March 1997 to September 1998. Of the seventeen subjects seen by the psychiatrists of the unit, majority were in their adolescence (11-14 years) with 5-10 year of age difference from their victims. All were known to the victim as relatives, playmates or neighbors. One third of the minor perpetrators denied committing the abuse. Among those admitted the abuse, no common reason for the act was obtained. Majority of the perpetrators did not have an existing psychiatric disorder at the time of the abuse and majority attended school. Three of the seventeen minor perpetrators had conduct disorder with two having a co-existing mental retardation. Five of the seventeen had an adjustment disorder with depressed mood following the incident.