Citation

Alexander R, Birzer ML. Deviant Behav. 2016; 37(9): 977-988.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01639625.2016.1147814

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests across the United States is a direct result of access to children, and that access changes across the life-course of individual priests. Turning points affect not only an individual priest's motivation to commit the crime, but also the suitability of a target. Guardianship of the victim and the surveillance of the offender play a salient role in facilitating the opportunity for the sexual assault of a child. Two criminological theories are germane to how contextual elements of the abusive situation can fluctuate across the life course: (1) Life Course Theory and (2) Routine Activity Theory.

Language: en