Figures show sex charge children

Many young abusers may have been abused themselves

New figures have revealed that 262 children, aged under 14, were charged with serious sexual offences in Scotland last year.

A study of data from Scotland's eight police forces showed 24 children were charged with rape in 2005, including two aged nine and one aged 10.

Eleven children aged eight were charged with sexual assault and lewd and libidinous behaviour, the study showed.

Almost 80 children under 14 were accused of indecent assault.

Figures showed 120 children were charged with lewd and libidinous behaviour which includes inappropriate physical contact and taking indecent photographs.

Dysfunctional households

Fife Chief Constable Peter Wilson said the rise could be due to the influence of TV, films and media on children.

One child psychologist said most young abusers had been abused themselves.

Mr Wilson, who chairs the Crime Business area for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said some people's attitudes had changed.

"Part of the problem is the mixture of greater exposure to pornography and videos and the acts we see portrayed both in the papers and film," he said.

"So for that very small number it will become an element of, not quite copy-cat, but something they perceive as not as totally wrong as it was in the past."

They may, in dysfunctional households, be exposed to pornographic material, but that in itself does not result in children becoming sexually deviant Dr Jack Boyle

He also said more children were coming to police attention because the nature of community control had changed.

However, child psychologist Dr Jack Boyle insisted films and media were not to blame.

"The vast majority of children who exhibit this very worrying sexual behaviour have themselves been abused either emotionally or sexually," he said.

"They may, in dysfunctional households, be exposed to pornographic material, but that in itself does not result in children becoming sexually deviant.

"In truth we don't know why one child who was abused becomes an abuser and another will grow up to be a good citizen."