9 © South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children: ISSN 1562-1383 Child Abuse Research: A South African Journal 2014, 15(1):9-14 The effect of child abuse on adult perpetrators of sex offences: A developmental perspective Marcel Londt Department of Social Work, University of the Western Cape Email: mlondt@uwc.ac.za Nicolette V Roman Department of Social Work, University of the Western Cape Email: nroman@uwc.ac.za International research suggests that the development a profile for a sex offender is often difficult as they are a heterogeneous group with a common feature of deviant sexual behaviour. Whether this is similar in South Africa, remains unexplored. The current study aimed to examine the prevalent characteristics of sex offenders who participated in a community-based treatment programme in the Western Cape, South Africa, over a 20-year period (1993-2013). This study was a descriptive study using a retrospective archival research design by using patient records of sex offenders who entered a community-based programme. The final sample was 230 males, with a mean age of 41 (SD = 13.07) years, the majority of whom were married [118 (51%)], were employed [179 (77.8%)] and lived with a spouse and/or partner [113 (49%)]. The results suggest the victims were known to the perpetrators, had been exposed to domestic violence in the family of origin, had a long term separation from their parents, had a negative relationship with the mother and had been raised by a single parent. Furthermore they had not previously been juvenile offenders, had not been diagnosed with a disorder, nor used drugs but used alcohol and had multiple victims. The results of this study have implications for prevention and intervention strategies. PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE The prevalence of sexual crimes against women and children is a global phenomenon. For example, in a United States survey, 1 in 59 adults experienced unwanted sexual activity, 12 months prior to the survey, and 1 in 15 adults had been forced to have sex during their lifetime (Basile, Chen, Black & Saltzman 2007). A recent systematic review found that within 56 countries, 7.2% of women had ever experienced non-partner violence, with the highest prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa and the lowest in South Asia (3.3%). The high prevalent rates were found in central (21%) and southern sub-Saharan Africa (17.4%) (Abrahams et al. 2014). In sub-Saharan Africa, a study conducted in Swaziland (Reza et al. 2009) suggests that 33.2% of females had reported an incident of sexual violence before they had reached 18 years of age. Furthermore, the perpetrator had been known to the victim, that is, the perpetrator was intimate with the victim (26.2%) or lived in the neighborhood (32.3%). South Africa, like many other African countries, is a signatory to many of the international treaties that are meant to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of women and children (Skelton 1998:32). Despite these intentions, sexual crimes against women and children remain challenging. Legislation and policies designed to offer child protection is rooted in the South African Constitution and is highly regarded for its children’s rights-based ethos (Gallinetti 2004). However, male sexual violence against women and children has reached endemic proportions (Moolman 2011). According to the Jewkes et al. (2006), 16.3% of men indicated that they had raped a non-partner or participated in a form of gang rape. The mean age of their study for first time rape was 17 years. In addition, when considering the risk factors, both partner and non-partner rape were associated with prior physical violence with a partner, transactional sex with a casual partner, more sexual partners and having adverse childhood experiences. For rape with a non-partner, risk factors included peer pressure to have sex, gang membership and drug use. Furthermore, wealthier and more socially advantaged men, who had engaged in rape, had engaged in rape with a non-partner (Jewkes et al. 2006). Despite the legislation, a steady increase is reflected between 1994/1995 to 2002/2003 (Department of Correctional Services Strategic Plan 2009/ 2010 to 2013/2014). This information shows that more sex offenders were arrested since 1994. CHARACTERISTICS OF SEX OFFENDERS The prevalence of sexual crimes against children causes alarm and encourages beliefs that persons