The change from child to adult is an especially dangerous time for adolescents in our society.
Consider this - In a study of 11,426 teens, almost 18 percent of all seventh and eighth graders, and almost half of all ninth through twelfth graders indicated that they had already had sex. Hard to believe?
Please note - Many parents find these statistics alarming. Yet, only about one-third of parents of sexually experienced 14-year-olds know that their child has had sex.
Teen sexual behavior problems are a rising trend in society today.
Children are being exposed to sexual images and material at an earlier age than ever before. Though being curious about sexually explicit images may seem a natural part of early adolescence, porn is a major presence in the lives of youth.
For some, this leads to excessive use of pornography, inappropriately touching another without consent or sexual experimentation with fetish activities. As teens struggle with some of these issues, there is a shame and secrecy that surrounds the activity. However, other concerns will generally arise. Often drug and alcohol use may start, grades will suffer, or other pre-existing issues such as anxiety or depression may become apparent. In 30 – 50% of child sexual abuse cases, a child is sexually harmed by someone under 18 years old. Research shows that many adults who sexually abuse children started their abusive behaviors as teens.
Teens need information not only about child sexual abuse but also about the laws of consent in their state. As our judicial system holds more teens responsible as adults, there are significant and long-lasting results for teens who engage in illegal sexual behaviors. The juvenile sexual offender is defined as a youth, from puberty to the legal age of majority, who commits any sexual act with a person of any age, against the victims will, without consent, or in an aggressive, exploitive or threatening
manner.
Because of the reinforcing nature of sexual behaviors, the deviant acts of a sexual offender may become repetitive, ingraining deviant patterns which become habitual and may progress to incorporate more and more deviant sexual acts. Reinforcement comes from the thrill of secrecy, the anticipation in fantasizing, planning, and stalking, the addictive qualities of seeking more and better “highs” and the thinking errors which rationalize and support the behaviors.
The perceived positive feelings of power and control combine with physical gratification to outweigh the potential negative consequences of the behavior.
Because experience to date indicates that sexually abusive behaviors develop steadily over time, early intervention is clearly needed, both for the prevention of multiple victimization and to interrupt the reinforcing nature of the behaviors.
While the sexual offender may always be at risk for sexual assaulting, specialized residential treatment programs do have many tools to offer to enable her/him to control their deviancy. It is only through involvement in a residential treatment program specifically for sexual offenders that these tools can be made available. To withhold the opportunity for treatment from the youthful offender, therefore, is irresponsible and only invites further victimization.
Horizons Family Solutions is able to provide confidential services that incorporate recommendations to individualized and intensive residential treatment programs for youth who struggle with inappropriate sexual behavior. We conduct an extensive student assessment and profile to make sure your child is receiving all specific needed care for their situation. We are very detailed so as not to miss any important factors that may need to be a part of their specific treatment. It is our belief that these youth can gain a new perspective on their behavior and learn to control their sexual impulses through the combined efforts of the youth themselves, their families, and committed treatment professionals.
We know from experience that addressing sexual issues and asking detailed questions is a sensitive matter for all involved, especially the parents. All calls and clients are handled with the utmost compassion, confidentiality and professionalism.
We understand that each situation is different.
We also assist families and their legal representatives in navigating any mandatory reporting or other legal issues that may come up during the child's residential treatment. We strive for long term successful results for your child and for your family.
We may also, at our discretion, limit the number of clients we accept at any one time, as we spend a great deal of individual time with each family.
You may reach Horizon Family Solutions in any of the following ways:
Toll Free: 866-833-6911
Fax:(541) 312-4420
Email: Dore@dorefrances.com
