NCJ Number
249204
Journal
JAMA Pediatrics Dated: April 2014
Date Published
April 2014
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined trends in children's exposure to violence, crime, and abuse in the United States from 2003 through 2011, based on data from three national telephone surveys of representative samples of children and caregivers in 2003, 2008, and 2011.
Abstract
The study found that of the 50 trends examined, there were 27 significant declines and no significant increases in children's exposure to violence, crime, and abuse between 2003 and 2011. There were also significant declines in the perpetration of violence and property crime. For the recession period between 2008 and 2011, there were 11 significant declines and no increases for the 50 trends examined. Dating violence declined, as did one form of sexual victimization and some forms of indirect exposure to violence. The findings suggest that these declines in various types of victimization have occurred for both boys and girls as well as children of all races, in all regions, and in cities and non-urban areas; however, the declines in assaults were significantly larger for teens than for younger children. The three national surveys that were the sources of the study data used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. The samples surveyed included parents of children ages 2 to 9 years old and youth 10 to 17 years old. Survey questions solicited information on direct and indirect experiences of violence, abuse, and victimization during the previous year. The authors note that the patterns observed in the study's victimization data are confirmed in police data and adult victimization surveys. Study limitations are noted, and suggestions for additional research are offered. 3 tables and 24 references