NCJ Number
101117
Date Published
Unknown
Length
45 pages
Annotation
During this 2 and a half-day conference, held in Sacramento, Calif., 30 key persons representing all aspects of juvenile delinquency and child abuse identified issues related to the abuse-delinquency correlation and recommended action steps to effect change.
Abstract
It was the consensus of workshop participants that research It was the consensus of workshop participants that research suggests some correlation between child abuse and later juvenile delinquency, (2) abused children in the juvenile justice system lose their identities as victims of abuse, (3) reported abuse is but a fraction of actual abuse, (4) family and social network factors influence whether an abused child will become involved in the juvenile justice system (5) the societal costs of this correlation between abuse and problem behaviors and delinquency are high, and (6) there is need for collaboration between those involved in child abuse and delinquency fields, as well as for a coordination of community resources. Recommendations to effect change include a greater emphasis on services designed to meet the individual needs of these children, more interagency cooperation, and public education to prevent child abuse and juvenile delinquency. Additionally, the need for sensitivity to the cultural diversity of California's population was urged. Appendixes and 73 references. (Author abstract modifed)