Why Does Incest Occur? A Distinction Between Genetic and Sociolegal Incest

Abstract

The present study compares and contrasts intrafamilial biological parent, intrafamilial step parent, and extrafamilial sex offenders who are ages 19 and older and have sexually offended against victims ages 12 and under, on several variables of interest. Sexual assaults reported to the Edmonton Police Service from 2010 to 2014 were included in the sample. The aim of this study was to explore whether there were distinct differences among the three groups. Based on past literature, we hypothesized the following: (a) Intrafamilial offenders will likely be older than their extrafamilial counterparts; (b) There is likely to be no difference in perpetrators’ sex; (c) Any difference in perpetrator’s ethnicity is uncertain; (d) The likelihood to reoffend will likely be greater for extrafamilial offenders; (e) Intrafamilial victims will likely be younger than extrafamilial victims; (f) There is likely to be no difference in victims’ sex; (g) Intrafamilial sexual abuse will likely last longer than extrafamilial sexual abuse; and (h) There will be greater delay in time to report abuse by intrafamilial offenders than extrafamilial offenders. We further expected to find that intrafamilial step parent sex offenders would reoffend more than biological parent sex offenders. The findings will be presented in this poster presentation.

Faculty Mentor: Sandy Jung

Department: Psychology