In a meta-analysis of sex offenders, which statement is supported by the majority of studies?

• A. Offenders against children had more CSA victims
• B. Adults had more CSA victims
• C. No difference between groups
• D. Not studied

Answer: (A)

Meta-analysis combines results from many studies to see overall patterns. Here, CSA means child sexual abuse, so offenders who target children have victims who are children by definition. When researchers pool data, they typically find that the group of offenders whose offenses are against children shows a higher number or proportion of CSA victims than the group whose offenses are against adults, whose victims are adults. That aligns with what the studies collectively indicate, making this statement the best-supported one. The idea that adults have more CSA victims contradicts the basic victim-age distinction, and noting no difference or that it wasn’t studied isn’t consistent with how the data are typically reported across multiple studies.