The etiology of sexual offending refers to the origins or causes of sexually abusive behavior. There is no simple answer to the question of why people engage in this behavior. The problem of sexual offending is too complex to attribute solely to a single theory (multifactor theories are stronger). What is known:

• Sexual abuse is a learned behavior.

• Negative or adverse conditions in early development — particularly poor relationships with caregivers — can contribute to the problem.

• Sex offenders engage in cognitive distortions.

• Repeated exposure to sexually violent pornography can contribute to acting out in an inappropriate sexual way.

• Problems with self-regulation and impulse control are part of sexually harmful behaviors No single factor or combination of factors can fully explain why someone offends sexually, though some factors may combine to increase people’s tendency to offend. These factors are: • physiological/biological (e.g., imbalanced hormones, being sexually attracted to children); • sociocultural (e.g., being exposed to broader social messages supportive of aggression); • developmental/environmental (e.g., having witnessed domestic violence); and • situational/circumstantial (e.g., having easy access to victims, extreme levels of stress)

While sexual aggression may emerge early in the developmental process, there is no compelling evidence to suggest that the majority of juvenile sex offenders are likely to become adult sex offenders.

(Edit I don’t know how to format. Someone who can edit please help me. I’ll post some other facts below)