NCJ Number
43757
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1977) Pages: 349-357
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AND CHILD ABUSE IS EXPLORED IN A STUDY OF CHILDREN WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON BOTH CHILD ABUSE AND JUVENILE COURT RECORDS IN ARIZONA.
Abstract
IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT THE SIBLINGS OF ABUSED CHILDREN, HAVING OBSERVED VIOLENCE IN THEIR FAMILIES WITHOUT BEING THE DIRECT RECIPIENTS OF IT, WILL ENGAGE IN AGGRESIVE BEHAVIOR THEMSELVES. ABUSED CHILDREN, HAVING SUFFERED FROM AGGRESSION, ARE MORE LIKELY TO SEEK ESCAPE. THEREFORE, SIBLINGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REPORTED FOR AGGRESIVE, ANTISOCIAL CRIMES, WHEREAS ABUSED CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN RUNAWAY AND TRUANCY OFFENSES. THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ESCAPE AND AGGRESSION CRIMES IS ANALYZED AND COMPARED WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF A CONTROL SAMPLE OF DELINQUENT CHILDREN WHO, ACCORDING TO RECORDS, HAVE NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO MALTREATMENT IN THEIR FAMILIES. THE ANALYSIS GENERALLY SUPPORTS THE HYPOTHESIS. ABUSED CHILDREN SHOW A DISTINCT TENDENCY TO BE REPORTED FOR ESCAPE CRIMES BUT NOT FOR AGGRESSIVE CRIMES. SIBLINGS OF ABUSED CHILDREN TEND TO BE REPORTED FOR AGGRESSIVE CRIMES AS OPPOSED TO ESCAPE CRIMES. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED. ONE TABLE AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.