| Only within the last fifteen years has juvenile sexual offending been identified as a serious social problem. As a result, the research in this field is still in its infancy and the research available consists of considerable disjointed information with limited sample sizes and few studies validating prior research by using different samples. For these reasons, current research on juvenile sex offenders offers little guidance to criminal justice personnel whose two-fold job it is to make vital decisions regarding the best interest of the child, while at the same time protecting society. This paper presents the research needs in the field of juvenile sexual offending as identified in interviews conducted with key treatment providers and correctional personnel in various states, as well as the research needs as presented in the literature. A comprehensive research strategy will be proposed to guide future research in such a way that informed decisions may be made on the part of both policymakers and those making decisions affecting the lives of these young offenders.
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Updated 05/20/2006