Sex Offending against Children and Minors in China: An Empirical Application of the Routine Activities Theory

Abstract: One major Western theory that gives a focused attention to offending and victimisation is the routine activities theory. Since its inception, the theory has been applied across a variety of crimes including sexual offences. However, the theory has not yet been applied to sex offending against children and minors in China. Based on 1,434 adjudicated rape and molestation cases, this study applies the theory to examine empirically the instances involving Chinese minor victims. Given the lack of focus on offenders' motivations in the theory, this article argues that a valid typology of sex offenders indicating different offending types and offender motivations could enhance the theory's application. For this purpose, this article turns to the only known typology of sex offenders against minors in China. The findings reveal how various sex offenders with different motivations selected suitable targets, gained access to potential victims, and exploited the absence of effective guardianship to commit their crimes. This study offers valuable insights into the understanding of sex crime victimisation of children and minors in China from a comparative perspective.