Catamnestic studies of sexually abused children have found an elevated risk of adulthood offending. Studies among offenders have repeatedly reported an elevated prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), especially among sex offenders. This study aimed to examine differences between offenders with and without a history of CSA. From correctional and court files socio-demographic, psychiatric and criminological data were collected for a representative sample of violent (n = 292) and sex offenders (n = 159) in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Logistic regression analysis showed sexually abused offenders differed substantially from those not sexually abused. They were more likely to have grown up under a combination of distressing living conditions, to be mentally ill, and to prostitute themselves. They were also more likely to commit a sex offence, to have a pertinent criminal record (OR = 2.6) and a history of court-ordered therapy (OR = 2.6). The findings corroborate the association between CSA and sex offending. CSA appears to be associated with persistent offending and lack of therapy success.