• most commonly the the perpetrators are  men ranging in age from adolescence to middle age
• can be classified as: (1) pedophiles (often seduce children with attention and gifts)
                             or (2) child haters - sociopaths
                             or (3) profiteers of child pornography or child prostitution

• as many as 1/3 are substance abusers
• of known abusers men outnumber women 8:1 (but many abusers are unknown)
• most abusers are known by the victim
• within families the most frequent molesters are fathers, step-fathers, uncles, grandfathers, cousins, and brothers
• girls are more likely then boys to be molested by a family member
• many cases of father-child incest appear to be a reaction to stresses and losses that threaten the fathers masculinity, other cases have been seen as an expression of anger

Hanson, Steffy, and Gauthier (1993) found that victim's gender is a powerful predictor of offender recidivism.

• offenders with male-child victims showed a higher risk to recidvate than offenders with female-child victims
• offenders with male and female victims did not show a significant difference from either of the other two groups

    A second study found that same-sex offenders had the lowest number of criminal charges [8% vs 22%] (Langevin, et al.)

I am concerned somewhat about this result however.  I would think that perhaps same-sex-male victims  may not have come forward to the same extent as opposite-sex-female victims would, primarily due to an increased social-stigma and embarrassment factor that may be present.

What is well supported is the two additional variables used as predictors of recidivism.  According to Prentky, Knight, and Lee (1997) the number of prior offenses and the intensity of an offender's fixation on children are both great predictors.  The latter of the two, offenders fixation, is measured by a plethysmographic instrument, which measures the change in fluid levels of the penis that are caused by fluctuations in blood pressure, and usage of such an instrument in a correctional system may create some ethical issues.

References

Hanson, R.K., Steffy, R. A., & Gauthier, R. (1993).  Long-term recidivism of child molesters.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 646-652.

Langevin, R., Hucker, S. J., Handy, L., Hook, H.J., Purins, J.E., & Russon, A. E. (1985).  Erotic preference and aggression in pedophilia: A comparison of heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual types.  In R. Langevin (Ed.), Erotic preference, gender identity, and aggression in men: New research studies. Hillsdale, NJ: Eribaum.
Prentky, R. A., Knight, R. A, & Lee, A. F. S.  (1997).  Risk Factors Associated With Recidivism Among Extrafamilial Child Molesters.  Journal of Counsulting and Clinical Psychology, 65 (1), 141-149.

Written By Michael W. Decaire