Links Between Victimization and Offending

• NCJ Number: 214425
• Author(s): David Smith
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): R000237157; R000239150
• Sponsoring Agency: Nuffield Foundation; British Economic and Social Research Council; Scottish Executive Social Research
• Sale Source: University of Edinburgh, Centre for Law and Society
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime Number 5.

Annotation

This study examined the link between crime victimization and self-reported delinquency among a sample of 4,300 young people in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Abstract

The main findings indicated a causal link between crime victimization and juvenile delinquency. Victimization predicted delinquency and delinquency predicted victimization. Specifically, young people who had experienced victimization were seven times more likely to engage in delinquency. Young people who were assaulted with a weapon and who were victims of robbery were more likely to engage in delinquency than young people who experienced other forms of victimization. Young people who reported being harassed by adults were also more likely to be involved with delinquency. The author posits that this may be because rowdy youth call attention to themselves, which they interpret as adult harassment. The link between crime victimization and delinquency was strongest over the same period, but there remained a strong association after a period of 3 years. The most important factors explaining the association between crime victimization and delinquent offending were involvement in risky activities and having delinquent friends. The findings lend support to the Kilbrandon philosophy that espouses dealing with young people as their needs arise rather than dealing with them primarily as offenders or victims. The study was part of a larger study entitled, “Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime” which involved the use of self-report questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, official records, teacher questionnaires, criminal records, parent surveys, and geographic information system to longitudinally investigate factors leading to involvement and desistance in delinquent offending among a cohort of 4,300 youth between the ages of 13 and 15 years. The study was conducted over a 2-year period and involved all 23 State secondary schools, 8 independent sector schools, and 9 special schools in Edinburgh. Methods and goals of this research are briefly summarized in this report. Limitations of the findings are discussed and include its relatively brief time period and narrow age range. Figures, references