Developmental Trajectories and Sexual Offending

This study explores the early experiences and offending patterns of men who have sexually offended against children. Qualitative interviews with the men have been analysed using Ward and Siegert’s (2002) Pathways Model. The findings, while tentative, indicate that developmental trajectories or individual pathways may be forged by building blocks of behaviours and experience which have influenced patterns of adult sexual offending. The preliminary findings also suggest that the Pathways Model offers potential with respect to work with men who sexually offend against children.