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Child Maltreatment, Vol. 10, No. 3, 260-271 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1077559505276505

Nonforcible Internet-Related Sex Crimes With Adolescent Victims: Prosecution Issues and Outcomes

Wendy A. Walsh

University of New Hampshire

Janis Wolak

University of New Hampshire

Law enforcement officials and the public are said to hold the stereotype that it is difficult to prosecute cases involving nonforcible sex crimes with willing adolescent victims. The authors examine prosecution outcomes in nonforcible Internet-related sex crimes with adolescent victims and extra-familial adult defendants. Data are from a national sample of law enforcement officers and prosecutors (N = 77). Most (91%) of the defendants are convicted, usually via a guilty plea (77%). Results show that even when victim cooperation is lacking or victims willingly engage in sexual activity, defendants are convicted. A small group of defendants are not convicted, and certain conditions appear to contribute to this, including victims’ untruthfulness, defendants giving victims illegal drugs or alcohol, and lack of a confession from the defendant. Most defendants, however, are sentenced to incarceration and required to register as sex offenders. The findings show promise for holding defendants accountable for this type of crime.

Key Words: sex crimes • Internet • adolescents • prosecution


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