NCJ Number
169843
Date Published
1998
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This panel discusses the link between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency and suggests early-intervention steps to break this link.
Abstract
The moderator of the panel advises that research findings provide strong evidence of the link between child abuse and juvenile delinquency, such that early intervention in abuse situations is needed to prevent the development of delinquent behaviors in abused and neglected children. One panel member notes the link between violent behavior against children in early years to violent behavior by children in later years. Additional research shows that intervention with children is effective. A second panel member speaks to the importance of training police to give priority to cases of child abuse and handle them appropriately. Collaborative and multidisciplinary partnerships are advised. A third panel member speaks from the perspective of a juvenile judge as he advocates maintaining the juvenile justice system as a separate system from the adult criminal justice system. This increases the focus on the special needs of children and juveniles, both as victims and as offenders. Another panel member discusses the importance of continuous services for families and children involved in abuse; these services must be comprehensive, intensive, and individualized. A fifth panel presentation profiles the work of the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in providing opportunities for earlier response to child maltreatment as well as improvement in the child protective and juvenile justice systems. Questions and answers to and from the panel are included.