NCJ Number
172406
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 68-72
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Adolescent abuse and neglect is examined with respect to its nature, extent, treatment needs, relationship to juvenile delinquency, and implications for juvenile detention centers and other components of juvenile justice.
Abstract
The correlation between child abuse and later juvenile delinquency is very strong. However, juvenile justice providers often overlook this connection both as a causative factor and as a treatment need. Adolescent abuse receives little attention due to agencies' giving priority to small children, the myth that adolescents are big enough to take care of themselves, and the belief that adolescent victims deserve the abuse. Adolescents tend to act out their pain rather than talking about it; thus, their behavior is often the biggest indicator of abuse or neglect. Behaviors may include aggression, shoplifting, vandalism, car theft, truancy, academic difficulties, and running away. Neglected children may lack social skills or have problems such as depression or drug use. Many abused adolescents refuse to take responsibility for their actions. Some acting out may result from childhood abuse rather than current abuse. In addition, adolescents are unlikely to report abuse. Recommended actions to address the needs of these youth include appropriate protection and services, personnel training, and written policies and procedures. In addition, a total collaborative effort is needed that involves child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and the schools to create an enlarged, interdisciplinary effort to promote juvenile crime prevention strategies based on the remedying of child abuse. 3 references