NCJ Number
72731
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A study to establish whether victim and offender groups are related indicates significant overlappings of the two populations within a violent subculture.
Abstract
Data derive from investigation of criminal careers of 9,945 juveniles born in 1945 and living in Philadelphia from ages 10 to 17 years. A random sample of 975 subjects is followed up to age 30; 567 subjects were interviewed at age 26. The survey focuses on 10 crime types ranging from simple assault to index crimes for 3 age categories, i.e., under 12 years old, 13 to 18 years old, and 19 to 26 years old. Arrest statistics are examined for absolute frequency and seriousness of crimes and are correlated to characteristics such as race, socioeconomic status, education, gang membership, and juvenile arrests. Findings show that victimization of an individual is correlated to the individual's own arrest for violent crimes. For nonwhites, likelihood of victimization is also related to the seriousness of offenses for which the individual is arrested. For whites, none of the variables tested are associated with variations in offense seriousness. These findings lend support to the theory of a violent subculture in which offenders are more likely than nonoffenders to become victims of violence. Still, the correlation between being an offender and being a victim is not great. Furthermore, such factors as race, a juvenile police record, and membership in a gang contribute more significantly to the likelihood of becoming an adult offender than victimization does. Further variables must be tested in association with victimization to explain the evolution of criminal behavior. Notes, tables, and a 19-item bibliography are suplied.