NCJ Number
175764
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 37 Issue: Dated: Pages: 0-345
Date Published
1998
Length
11 pages
Annotation
After reviewing various definitions of "organized crime" and their limitations, this paper discusses the nature of organized crime and its markets as well as the nature and control of organized crime in Great Britain, followed by an overview of the articles on organized crime in this issue of the "Howard Journal of Criminal Justice;" see NCJ-175765-70.
Abstract
Sexually abused children and adolescents who are at a stage of case processing between the revelation of abuse and the trial of the alleged abusers, or who are in emotional turmoil due to such abuse, need special services and support. The evidence shows that a number of such children are held in local secure centers on various grounds; these grounds may include protection from further sexual assaults by an adult offender, previous absconding from nonsecure residential centers, or because of disturbed behavior (including suicide attempts) that may stem from the sexual abuse. These victims of sexual assault are being held in the same facilities with juveniles being detained for serious crimes, including rape and murder, as well as with young adolescents being detained after conviction for such crimes. In some of the worst cases, victims of child sexual abuse have been sexually assaulted by juvenile rapists with whom they have been housed. Legislative and policy mandates should ensure that secure units house only children and adolescents on remand for serious sentences, or those who, once convicted, are too young to serve time in centers for older adolescents. Suicidal and otherwise emotionally disturbed children should be accommodated in regional centers for specialized psychiatric care. 23 references