Prepubertal initiation of sexual experiences and older first partner predict promiscuous sexual behavior of delinquent adolescent males--unrecognized child abuse?

Sexual experiences of 1580 delinquent adolescent males ages 9-19 years admitted to a juvenile detention center from January 1985 to July 1990 were determined through a structured health history interview. A total of 89.6% admitted to prior sexual activity; 26.8% claimed sexual experience by age 11 years. Only 3.2% reported sexual abuse or incest. Of 334 sexually active adolescents who revealed both age of their first partner and their age of first intercourse, 42% had their first experience with a female 2 or more years older. Males who had their first sexual experience before age 11 years or with a female 2 or more years older, reported significantly larger numbers of sexual partners in their lifetime and during the year preceding their incarceration. Girls with similar first sexual experiences in terms of age of initiation and age difference from partner are considered to be abused. Practitioners who work with children and adolescents need to recognize the possibility of sexual activity among pre-adolescent males and to be aware of its implications.