NCJ Number
175725
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 22 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1998 Pages: 987-995
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examines physical and sexual abuse among incarcerated youth with respect to sexual activity, contraceptive use, and pregnancy.
Abstract
Self-report survey data were collected from 62 females and 334 males incarcerated in Nevada youth correctional facilities in the summer of 1994. Of the males, 46.8 percent (n = 156) reported a history of physical abuse, and 9.9 percent (n = 33) reported sexual abuse. A surprisingly high 73 percent (n = 46) of the females reported a history of physical abuse, and 68.3 percent (n = 43) reported sexual abuse. Females who reported a history of sexual abuse had an earlier mean age of first intercourse than those who reported no sexual abuse. Sexually and physically abused youths were less likely to use birth control than nonabused youths. Those who did report contraceptive use favored methods that were either highly unreliable or did not offer adequate protection from sexually transmitted diseases. Despite the decreased likelihood of using contraceptives, there was no evidence of increased pregnancy and parenthood among the abused respondents. Table, references