The British Journal of Psychiatry 138: 119-125 (1981)
© 1981 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Abnormal sexual behaviour in pre-pubescent children
JC Pomeroy, D Behar and MA Stewart
Abnormal sexual behaviour in pre-pubescent children is uncommon even in a
psychiatrically referred population. Among 516 referrals there were 6 boys
and 10 girls, the girls starting younger. The boys differed little in
history or background from other conduct-disordered boys, but the girls
were more commonly victims of sexual abuse and lacking a father in the
home. The personalities of the girls suggested continued risk of sexual
experimentation and possible development of personality disorder.