NCJ Number
133754
Journal
Youth and Society Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (December 1991) Pages: 202-228
Date Published
1991
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study examines the demographic characteristics of juvenile victims of crime and partially investigates the potential relationship between victimization and self-reported delinquency.
Abstract
As part of a multiple cohort sequential design, a random sample of households in "high risk" neighborhoods was selected, with focus on 877 youths between the ages of 11 and 15. Results show that females experienced lower rates of victimization than did males, although the difference was not as pronounced for property offenses as for crimes against persons. Family structure was found to be related to victimization rates. Juveniles living in intact families tended to be victimized less than did youths residing in single-parent or recombined families. Few ethnic differences in lifetime prevalence of victimization were uncovered. It was also found that an individual's involvement in delinquent behavior is associated with a higher level of exposure to potential victimization and will subsequently result in more self-reported victimization than individuals not involved in a criminal lifestyle. Appendix, 6 notes, and 44 references