NCJ Number
187117
Date Published
2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The authors highlight the main contexts in which juvenile victims have contact with the justice system--police, prosecutors, and juvenile and criminal courts.
Abstract
Five contexts are considered: (1) juvenile victims involved in criminal investigations and prosecutions; (2) juvenile victims involved in child protection actions; (3) children victimized by domestic violence and custodial abductions; (4) child victims involved in criminal offenses; and (5) child victims involved in status offenses. Estimates developed in the paper indicate about 750,000 teenage victims of violent crime are reported to the police each year, 1.1 million substantiated or indicated victims of child abuse and neglect are reported to child protection authorities, and 360,000 to 400,000 children reside in a home where police officers are called for spousal violence. Of 900,000 young people arrested for serious violent or property offenses each year and of 500,000 arrested for status offenses, 20 to 50 percent are victims of child maltreatment. Preschool victims and school-age children primarily come into the justice system through reports of child abuse and in conjunction with spousal assaults. Because the problem of child victims in the justice system is complex and multi-faceted, a comprehensive approach to dealing with child victims in the justice system should focus on the primary goals of recognition, protection, rehabilitation, and accountability. 49 references, 6 tables, and 1 figure