NCJ Number
80389
Date Published
1981
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This paper reports the preliminary analysis of data collected concerning domestic physical abuse histories of juvenile delinquents in Oregon.
Abstract
The motivating factor behind the research was the growing evidence that a relationship exists between the social problems of child abuse and juvenile delinquency. The relationship may or may not be causal, but literature indicates that many of the same families and juveniles who have been involved in child abuse become involved in juvenile delinquency. Despite the evidence, society has provided separate responses to these problems, with child protective service systems attending to child abuse and the juvenile justice system focusing on the delinquency problem. The newly developing system of shelters for family violence victims is described as poorly coordinated with the other two more institutionalized systems. This project was designed to improve the working relationship between juvenile justice agencies and domestic violence agencies in Oregon by providing for information exchange within an agency network. The organizational arrangements for the research itself are viewed as a model for networking and training. The research team received questionnaire responses from 191 residents in 5 juvenile delinquent treatment programs. Survey results indicated that the greater the number of parent figures in the juvenile's family history, the more likely that abuse will be reported. Juveniles from larger families also reported abuse slightly more often. Contrary to expectation, female delinquents were more likely to have histories of abuse than males and this abuse was more frequent and serious. Male parents were cited as abusers more frequently than female parents. More than 50 percent of the juvenile delinquents reported having previously experienced domestic violence. Further, juveniles reporting drug and alcohol abuse, runaway episodes, and violent crime also were likely to report previous child abuse. The abuse reported by violent juveniles was more frequent and serious than that experienced by nonviolent juveniles. In general, the study added to the evidence of a link between domestic violence and delinquency. A community network model for juvenile justice and domestic violence agencies is provided. It involves coordinated teamwork in the detection and treatment of abuse and in prevention of abuse through public education. Charts and tabular data are provided. Appendixes contain the study instrument. The reference list cites about 60 entries.