Research on juvenile crime continues to reveal the immense capacity of juveniles to rebuild their lives and move forward as productive members of society. The results of a comprehensive study of youth who have committed sex offenses in Illinois showed that these youth are highly responsive to treatment and unlikely to recidivate.  The Illinois state legislature recognized that discussions surrounding sex offenses were often emotionally charged with little research available to support claims and policy decisions.  To better understand this population, the legislature commissioned an extensive study of the trends, service needs, and outcomes of adolescents with sexual offenses.

The study builds on the growing body of research on adolescent brain and cognitive development and juvenile delinquency.  Most youth sexual offending is related to developmental issues including immaturity, developmental delays, deficits in social skills, or unresolved trauma from past sexual abuse.  The origins of sex offense behavior are different for youth than adults and more amenable to treatment. The majority of youth who receive developmentally appropriate, evidence-based treatments do not continue to commit sexual offenses as adults.

The findings have prompted Illinois lawmakers to take a closer look at how youth with sex offenses are handled in the justice system.  Some recommendations for reform in Illinois include:
• Provide training for judges, lawyers, law enforcement, and counselors on best practices for work with adolescents who have committed sex offenses
• Help youth stay in their homes by building community support and resources and equipping families and youth with the skills necessary to prevent future misconduct
• Improve assessment tools to create individualized case, supervision, and treatment plans

Every youth will have a unique history and needs.  By assessing and treating traumatic sexual abuse histories, addressing developmental needs, and building social skills, youth can move forward successfully into adulthood.  Wisconsin should follow Illinois’ lead and take a critical look at how we work with youth who have committed sex offenses to ensure that we are giving them the best chance at a brighter future.

By Emily Bergman