Abstract
To study the prevalence of juvenile victimisation in a group of young adults. A juvenile victimisation questionnaire was distributed among 1322 Sri Lankan undergraduates. The questionnaire consisted of different modules (child maltreatment, conventional crime, peer-sibling victimisation, indirect victimisation, introduction to substances and parental deprivation). The response rate was 90%. The mean age of the cohort was 21.8 years. 59% were females. 44% and 36% had experienced sexual and physical maltreatment respectively. In both categories males were affected more than females (p < 0.001). Physical abuse had commonly taken place at school (51%) and home (40%). Witnessing violence at home was the highest form of indirect victimisation (66%). 10% were introduced to substances in childhood. Usage of substances (cigarettes, alcohol and drugs) was significantly higher in children whose fathers used substances compared to children whose fathers did not (p < 0.001). Many children in Sri Lanka are exposed to victimisation. They seem to suffer these in the very environments that should be nurturing and protecting them.
Highlights
Victimisation during childhood occurs in different forms
A juvenile victimisation questionnaire was distributed among 1322 Sri Lankan undergraduates
The questionnaire consisted of different modules
Summary
A questionnaire was administered to 1322 undergraduates of the University of Kelaniya in the first and second years of their university career. Students from faculties of the university participated in the study. They were from the Faculties of Commerce (62%), Medicine (26%), Science (8%), Humanities (2%) and Social Sciences (2%). In order to ensure seating arrangements conducive to reporting confidential and sensitive events, the questionnaire was administered at the end of examinations held in different faculties. This contributed to the variation in representation. Method A juvenile victimisation questionnaire was distributed among 1322 Sri Lankan undergraduates. The questionnaire consisted of different modules (child maltreatment, conventional crime, peer-sibling victimisation, indirect victimisation, introduction to substances and parental deprivation)
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