Kids aged 9-15 at increased risk of abuse

Children aged nine to 15 are the most at risk of being sexually abused while in the care of an institution, researchers for the royal commission say.

The researchers, who examined 400 studies about child sexual abuse, also found that being female, from a low socio-economic family background, having a prior history of abuse or an intellectual disability were risk factors.

However there was an under-reporting of child sexual abuse among boys playing sport, which researchers attributed to the hyper-masculine setting.

The report concluded that there was no "typical" sex offender and they often differed in their motivations and behaviour.

Deviant sexual interests, distorted attitudes about sex and poor social skills were among common characteristics of offenders.

Perpetrators in many cases had a strong need for power and control.

The research found a child spending more time at a particular institution could increase their vulnerability to abuse.

It said there was evidence that screening processes at organisations may not be as effective as widely believed because some offenders do not have a criminal history.