Does use of pornography contribute to sexual offending behavior in teens?

In a recent study in Washington County, Utah in cases involving juvenile sexual offenses, it was found that 51 of the 76 cases studied involved the juvenile perpetrator viewing pornography on multiple occasions prior to the offense occurring.

As part of the evaluation process for determining the risk of future offending and need for treatment, juvenile offenders were asked to disclose their use of pornography prior to the sexual offenses occurring.   51 of the 76 youth who were interviewed admitted that they had viewed pornography on multiple occasions prior to engaging in the sexual offending behaviors.

These findings are significant as this data suggests that the use of pornography may be a factor that contributes to sexual offending behavior in teens.  The study does not suggest that every youth who views pornography will engage in sexual offending behaviors, but it does suggest that youth who view pornography may pose a greater risk to engaging in sexual offending behavior.

While there are a variety of factors that contribute to juvenile sexual offending behaviors, the use of pornography by the perpetrator is a factor that should be given increased attention and should be adequately addressed in treatment.  Because of the infiltration of pornography into our society, particularly among youth, and along with the vulnerability of being impacted by pornography, a growing number of teens are finding themselves involved in the legal system due to sexual acting out behaviors.

Many of these youth have no prior criminal history, do not have pedophilic tendencies, do not display other sexually deviant behaviors and do not demonstrate anti-social tendencies, but yet, because of having committed a sexual offense are being placed in treatment settings designed for juvenile sexual offenders who present as more “traditional” sexual offenders.

The most prominent conclusion from this small study:  While certainly teen sexual offending behaviors need to be prosecuted and treated, there also needs to be increased consideration given to the need for assessing and treating this new generation of offenders in a manner that will be most effective and get to the core of the issues, which in many cases involves treating an addiction to pornography.  In addition to the already well-established tenants of sexual offender treatment, juvenile sexual offenses treatment should also include assessment and intervention for potential addiction to pornography.