The actions of juveniles who sexually abuse other children and youth (JSAs) result in significant social and economic costs. Nevertheless, a brief empirical review of studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of treatment for JSAs reveals limited knowledge about this population. Similar conclusions are drawn from a review of effectiveness studies of service delivery in the community in which most of the treatment is conducted. Bringing together treatment-outcome and services research approaches, the authors discuss a number of issues warranting further discussion and investigation. Information is needed regarding the appropriate setting, components, and methods for evaluation of the treatment programs. We then describe a clinical research program initiated in Pittsburgh that will examine service delivery for JSAs and evaluate treatment outcome in a comparison study of treatment provided by the juvenile court with and without adjunct mental health, community-based services. Recommendations for practice, service delivery, and research are presented.
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