NCJ Number
124378
Date Published
1987
Length
129 pages
Annotation
This study examines the extent to which delinquency and adult criminal behavior were present in a population of maltreated children.
Abstract
The subjects were abused, neglected, and sexually abused children who had been referred to the Utah Juvenile Court from 1950 through 1986. Variables investigated included: (1) the environment from which abused, neglected, and sexually abused children originate; (2) the extent to which this population was found in special school placements; (3) the frequency of juvenile court contact; (4) the relationship between the type of child maltreatment and the type of juvenile offense committed; (5) the extent to which maltreated delinquents are subsequently found under the supervision of adult corrections; and (6) the relationships that exist between adult male sexual offenders and sexual abuse experienced in childhood. Results of the study showed no significant relationship between the type of maltreatment and the type of juvenile offense. However, a significant relationship was found between nonviolent maltreatment (neglect) and nonviolent crimes. Maltreated subjects with four or more felonies as juveniles were five times more likely to be under the supervision of the adult correctional system than the average adult in society. In a subsample of adult sex offenders, 91 percent were found to have been sexually abused as children. Finally, the vast majority of maltreated delinquents originated from a common environment: less than 15 percent lived with their natural of legal parent at the time of first court contact; 40 percent were enrolled in special school programs; and 76 percent came from families where annual income was less than $10,000. 27 tables, 87 references, and 5 appendixes