Sharp rise in sex offenses by minors

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Jerusalem Post - March 8, 2006

Also see: http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/juvenileoffenders.html

More minors than ever were involved in sexual assaults in 2005, and reports of group rapes and incest rose by 30 percent, according to a report by the Centers for Victims of Sexual Assault Union to mark International Women's Day.

The report pointed to a 26% rise in sexual assaults comitted by minors under the age of 12, while an even greater rise in sexual assaults was recorded by the 13 through 18 age group.

The report explained that most reports of sexual assault were not cases of "classical rape," in which the victim does not know the attacker. In most cases, said the report, the victim is attacked by an acquaintance or family member, while 15% of victims were male.

Tal Kremer, head of the union, said that over the span of one year she received 33,424 complaints of sexual attacks.

"It exists and its here, almost with every single one of us," said Kremer.

"The percentages are much higher than we would like to hear and believe - because with these things it is much easier to shut our ears, close our eyes and not see it because it is very difficult," said Kremer, adding that "one in six girls and one in 10 boys experienced incestual attacks over prolonged periods of time during their childhoods."

A further worrying aspect of the report points to the dramatic decrease in the uncovering of chronic sex offenders.