NCJ Number
152819
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 21 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 1-9
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
After reviewing data on the rate of juvenile offending and the extent of victimization among children and adolescents, the authors conclude that the lack of comprehensive national data on victimization is deplorable and that children and adolescents are at substantially greater risk of committing nuisance than serious offenses.
Abstract
Data from 1990 indicate that more than 1.37 million alleged offenders aged 18 years and under were arrested, but data on the extent of victimization among children and adolescents are more difficult to obtain. The lack of national data on victimization is particularly troublesome since victimization in childhood and/or adolescence is a frequent precursor to juvenile offending. Further, estimates indicate that only 16 percent of child maltreatment cases are reported to the police, even though widespread legislative provisions require such reporting. Available data suggest that children and adolescents are more likely to commit nuisance offenses than serious offenses. In addition, victimization studies show that youths in the 12- to 15-year age cohort are at greater risk of victimization from personal theft and simple assault than from other offenses. Existing data, however, do not reveal whether children and youth are more likely to be victimized by other children and youth or by adult offenders. 15 references and 2 tables