Juvenile Victimization Research Articles

Understanding "Childhood Poly-Victimization" to help uncover abuse during child investigative interviewing: a systematic review.

It is well established that child victims are some of the most challenging populations to interview. Indeed, children tend to feel ashamed, scared or in denial, leading to difficulties for law enforcement when gathering information, and subsequently with prosecuting offenders. Moreover, with crimes against children increasing, it is common for interviewed victims to have experienced several abuses (poly-victimization). Thus, the main goals of this study are to (1) identify the facets that are included in poly-victimization, in order to (2) provide a clear definition that can be used by law enforcement during child interviews, which could lead to (3) a better identification of cases of abuse to maximize safeguarding and protect children. A systematic review was used to establish the differences in conceptualizations of poly-victimization as well as the measurements chosen by research to measure this concept. The current systematic review included research articles on childhood poly-victimization using a quantitative measuring instrument published as of 2007, that focused on populations under 18 years of age. The findings were divided into (1) conceptual dimensions, (2) characteristics of studies' populations and (3) measures and psychometrics properties. It was found that research used various terms for poly-victimization, yet with numerous definitions implying differences in number of abuses, time frame, and mental health aspects to be considered in the identification of poly-victimization. The included papers (n = 6) were from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Over half of the studies used the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) but adapted either (i) to the study's population, (ii) possible answers, (iii) wording of questions, or (iv) by the removal of questions. Our findings highlight the need for a more theoretically coherent definition of childhood poly-victimization. Questions regarding number of abuses, time consideration (past year vs. lifetime), mental health and severity of abuse should be addressed to develop a unified definition of poly-victimization. Rapport-based interviews should be the focus to uncover the truth and to avoid a secondary trauma in the crisis of a child's disclosure of abuse. A new definition of "Childhood Poly-Victimization" is proposed by the authors as well as a "Decision Tree for Identifying Childhood Poly-Victimization" designed to be used by law enforcement during child investigative interviews.

Interpersonal Difficulties Arising from Child Sexual Abuse: Differences Between Intra-familial and Extra-familial Abuse Victims.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) often has serious implications for the victims. The scientific literature reflects a diversity of sequelae that may appear in the short and long term. Interpersonal difficulties have been shown to be one of the most common consequences. However, studies comparing these sequelae between victims of intra-familial (IF) and extra-familial (EF) CSA are scarce. The aim of this research was to analyze differences in dyadic satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and attachment patterns in adulthood between Spanish IF victims, EF victims, and non-victims of CSA. The Sexual Victimization Subscale of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, the Relationship Assessment Scale, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire were administered to 140 adults (94 CSA victims and 46 non-victims) aged 18 to 54 years. CSA victims scored lower than the non-victims on the personal sexual satisfaction factor and attachment factors characterized by the need for approval, hostile resolution of conflicts, and emotional self-sufficiency. Statistically significant differences were also found between the victim groups in the factors characterized by the need for approval and communication of feelings and comfort with relationships showing the IF group to have more impairment in these areas than the EF group. In conclusion, CSA may have serious implications for the development of victims' interpersonal relationships. The context of sexual abuse and the relationship between victim and offender appears to play a role in the development of relational problems. These findings highlight the need to implement specific strategies in the psychological treatment of victims depending on their relationship with the offender and the environment in which the abuse occurred.

The prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders or other adults in religious organizations in Australia

BackgroundNumerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce. ObjectiveTo provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia. MethodsThe Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS). ResultsOne in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men). ConclusionsChild sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.

Novelisation of proving in criminal proceedings involving juvenile victims and witnesses

Novelisation of proving in criminal proceedings involving juvenile victims and witnesses

Do Cybervictimizations Predict Suicide-Related Behaviors in Adolescents? Mediating Role of the “Escaping” Coping Strategy

The high prevalence of suicide-related behaviors (SRB) among adolescents is a concerning issue that calls for the identification of explanatory and mediating factors involved. This study examines, by gender: (1) the percentage of adolescents reporting SRB, cyberbullying, and cybersexual harassment; (2) the association between cyberbullying and cybersexual harassment with SRB; (3) the predictive power of cybervictimization in SRB; and (4) the mediating role of Escaping coping strategy between cybervictimization and SRB. One thousand and twenty-seven adolescents (62.5% girls) aged 13 to 18 years ( M = 15.59, SD = 1.28) participated in the study and completed the Youth Self Report (for SRB), Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (for cybervictimization), and Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences, Spanish (for coping). About 16% of respondents (19% of girls and 8.9% of boys) reported SRB, about 18% reported Cyberbullying (20.8% of girls and 13.0% of boys), and near 23% reported Cybersexual harassment (28.7% of girls and 12.5% of boys). There is a significant association between cybervictimization and SRB, with the presence of cybervictimization increasing the likelihood of SRB by three to four times (especially in boys), and significantly predicting SRB. Escaping coping strategy partially mediates the relationship between cybervictimization and SRB only in girls. The findings that cybervictimization predicts SRB and that Escaping coping mediates this relationship provide insights for the implementation of prevention and intervention policies.

Childhood exposure to domestic violence: can global estimates on the scale of exposure be obtained using existing measures?

Childhood exposure to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) can lead to major short- and long-term effects on the victim. Despite this, there is no accepted measure for children's experiences, with most existing measures being validated only in high income countries and not in low- and middle- income countries. As a result, international statistics are not comparable. This paper seeks to critically appraise existing measures and discuss whether any are fit-for-purpose on a global scale. The COSMIN PROMs approach was followed to critically appraise and compare the appropriateness of measures. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken in seven journal databases for measures mentioned in formally peer-reviewed articles exploring childhood exposure to DVA. A literature search resulted in the identification of 10 measures and, following criteria to only keep original measures and remove modifications, four measures which have been validated cross-culturally are discussed in detail in line with the COSMIN PROMs criterion: The Child Exposure to Domestic Violence Scale, Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale, Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and The Violence Exposure Scale for Children. Strengths and limitations of each are discussed, along with any validations undertaken not in the country of origin. Despite childhood exposure to DVA being an urgent research priority worldwide, the current measures to explore the extent of the issue are not validated cross-culturally, leading to concerns about comparisons across different population groups. The development and implementation of interventions to reduce the levels and effects of exposure relies heavily on cross-cultural comparisons, which may indicate different strategies are needed in different contexts. The lack of these validated comparisons is constraining advances, and the paper advocates for further efforts to be made in this regard.

Allostatic load, adverse childhood experiences, executive functions, and BMI status in adolescents and young adults.

Chronic stress induces preclinical changes in the metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This phenomenon, known as allostatic load (AL), can impair executive functions (EF), which may be even more affected in individuals with excess weight due to their characteristic inflammatory state and cardiometabolic changes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to AL and may influence executive functioning presumably via alterations within the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including epigenetic modifications. We assess the relationship between AL and EF in youth with and without excess weight, and the effect ACEs on executive functioning. One hundred eighty-two adolescents and young adults (85 with normal weight and 97 with overweight/obesity; 10-21 years) were recruited. The estimated AL index included the following: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and cortisol. ACEs were measured using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. The neuropsychological evaluation included the assessment of inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility processes. AL was not significantly associated with executive functioning, and this relationship did not depend on body-weight status. ACEs, available for 57 of 182 participants, were significantly associated with poorer executive functioning. Our study shows that AL is not associated with executive functioning in adolescents and young adults. Since the current sample was young, we hypothesize that a longer exposure to AL might be required for its negative effects to surface. Nevertheless, exposure to early adversity seems to be associated with poorer executive functioning in youth.

The Prevalence of Peer Sexual Harassment During Childhood in Australia.

Sexual harassment inflicted by adolescents on their peers is a major public health issue, but its prevalence across childhood is not known. We provide the first nationally representative data on the prevalence of peer sexual harassment across childhood, using cross-sectional data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS). The ACMS surveyed 8,503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment and associated health outcomes. The prevalence of peer sexual harassment was assessed using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ)-R2 Adapted Version (ACMS), with survey data weighted to reflect characteristics of the Australian population. Overall, 1 in 10 (10.4% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) [9.7, 11.3])) Australians experienced peer sexual harassment during childhood. Peer sexual harassment is an issue disproportionately affecting gender-diverse individuals (24.0%, 95% CI [15.5, 35.2]) and women (15.3%, 95% CI [14.0, 16.7%]), compared to men (5.0%, 95% CI [4.3, 5.9]). Rates of peer sexual harassment were also very high among sexuality diverse participants (prevalence estimates ranging between 14.2% and 29.8%). Peer sexual harassment was predominately inflicted by male peers (9.6%, 95% CI [8.9, 10.4]), compared to 1.8% (95% CI [1.5, 2.2]) reporting harassment from female peers. These findings have implications for understanding and reducing attitudes supporting peer sexual harassment in childhood, particularly against girls and gender and sexuality diverse youth, and associations with other gendered violence both in childhood and later life.

Gender Differences in the Characterization of Child Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT Research on child sexual abuse (CSA) has increased in recent decades. However, the study of gender differences in this field is still scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in the characterization of CSA between Spanish adult men and women. The Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire was administered to 162 cisgender victims of CSA aged 18–63. Most of the abuses involved physical contact and were committed by a known person. Twenty percent of the victims indicated that they had developed a mental health problem that they believed was due to the CSA experience. Women suffered more CSA with physical contact and penetration, more types of abuse and more abuse by men, and were abused more frequently by a family member. Compared to women, men suffered more sexual abuse by women. Exploring gender differences in CSA could help to improve preventive strategies and interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of this type of abuse and sequelae resulting from it.

Direct and indirect childhood victimization and their influence on the development of adolescents antisocial behaviors.

Experiences of direct and indirect victimization can be very common among children and adolescents of the general population and can have an important impact on their behavior. The general aim of this study was to analyze the possible association between childhood victimization and the development of antisocial behaviors during adolescence. The prevalence of child victimization and antisocial behaviors self-reported by adolescents is shown. Therefore, the individual associations between different types of childhood victimization and antisocial behaviors were explored. The sample comprised 459 general population adolescents. Data on six types of childhood victimization were collected using the Spanish version of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, and information on five types of antisocial behaviors was gathered using the short version of the Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire. More than 90% of the adolescents had been victimized at least once, while almost half of them had engaged in at least one type of antisocial behavior in the last 12 months. Witnessing and indirect victimization is the only type of childhood victimization associated with the antisocial behaviors analyzed. These results corroborate previous findings suggesting that witnessing and indirect victimization may have the same or similar impact to that of direct victimization on adolescents' social adjustment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Reprezentacja małoletniego pokrzywdzonego w postępowaniu karnym

Representation of a juvenile victim in criminal proceedings This article concerns the representation of a juvenile victim. It analyzes the differences between the statutory representative, the person under whose constant care the injured party remains and the child's representative. The article aims to draw attention to a situation in which there is a conflict of interests between the representative representing a juvenile victim and the other parent, which entails the need to exclude the representation of the juvenile victim by the statutory representative, giving primacy to the child's representative.

아동·청소년의 복합범죄피해와 비행 유형간의 관련성에 관한 연구

This study investigates the relationships between poly-victimization and the types of delinquency in children and adolescents based on the concept of poly-victimization and the perspective of victim-offender overlap. This study hypothesizes that poly-victimization can affect the participation of the types of delinquency; the types of delinquency can affect poly-victimization; self-control, parental attachment, delinquent peers, and deviant lifestyle can be the factors to influence the relationships between poly-victimization and the types of delinquency. Korean Crime Victim Survey(VIII): Juvenile victimization in 2017 data are used to test hypotheses. Association analysis is used to examine the association between the types of victimization and the types of delinquency. Path analysis with ordinal response variables is used to test the relationships between poly-victimization and the types of delinquency controlling with self-control, parental attachment, delinquent peers, and deviant lifestyle. The results show that the types of victimization are positively associated with the types delinquency; victimization increases the participation of status delinquency, assaults, property crime, and bullying; status delinquency increases victimization; self-control, parental attachment, delinquent peers, and deviant lifestyle can be the factors to influence the relationships between poly-victimization and the types of delinquency; gender and school grade(age) are related to victimization and the types of delinquency. The findings suggest that victimization can develop the various types of delinquency and status delinquency can develop victimization; the relationships between poly-victimization and delinquency can be explained by the process of poly-victimization affecting delinquency and the process of delinquency affecting poly-victimization; self-control and deviant lifestyle consistently influence the relationships between poly-victimization and the types of delinquency.

Towards a Culturally Adapted JVQ: Rasch Model Validation among Adolescents in India

Purpose: this study evaluates the psychometric properties of Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) based on the lifetime victimization and traumatic experiences reported by Indian adolescents. Method: a cohort of 350 adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years, from various schools in Aligarh District of India participated in this study. Result: the JVQ’s content validity using Fleiss Kappa analysis, Unidimensionality, and item and person reliability were assessed through rasch measurement model. Moreover, the analysis yielded promising result for the JVQ, indicating high reliability, the Fleiss Kappa score of 0,92 suggest an almost perfect agreement, while the person and item reliability scores were recorded at 0,70 and 0,90, respectively. Conclusion: this initial study supports the JVQ’s potential reliability and validity, suggesting it could be foundational tool for broader research across multiple locations

Some peculiarities of organising the interrogation of a juvenile (minor) victim under martial law

Based on the analysis of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the scientific work of scholars and practitioners, it has been established that criminal justice for juveniles (minors) should be structurally separated from adult justice, carried out in different forms, and should include their social and psychological support and rehabilitation. Such a system should recognise that children are not adults, they are largely dependent on adults and society, have a lower level of emotional, mental and intellectual maturity, and therefore require special treatment appropriate to their age and level of development. In this regard, the article identifies the main tactical approaches to the most optimal organisation of interrogation of a juvenile (minor) victim under martial law. Proposals have been made regarding the choice of place (special “friendly” premises or rooms and alternative places) and time of such investigative (detective) action, as well as the investigator (detective) or prosecutor who will conduct the interrogation. Options for providing professional assistance by a teacher, psychologist and doctor, who must be present during the interrogation of a minor or underage victim, are also suggested. The investigator (inquirer) and prosecutor are provided with practical recommendations on organising and conducting interrogation of a juvenile (minor) victim, using modern interrogation methods, and the procedure for conducting it, which will increase the efficiency of the procedural action and ensure compliance with the basic principles of child-friendly justice.

Electronic victimization experiences in Spanish adolescents from the general population and risk contexts

The present work aims to show the differences in the occurrence of electronic victimization in the last year, between four different samples of Spanish adolescents. Likewise, it seeks to study whether there is a relationship between having suffered electronic victimization and other forms of victimization and whether cyber-victims show differences according to sex and age group. 1,105 adolescents from secondary education centers, 149 from child and adolescent mental health centers, 129 from the protection system, and 101 from the juvenile justice system were interviewed. Victimization experiences were assessed using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (Finkelhor et al., 2005). Electronic victimization ranged from 8.9% in the school sample, 16.8% in mental health, 25.7% in the juvenile justice system and 27.1% in the protection system. A positive relationship was found between electronic victimization and other forms of victimization in educational, protection and justice centers. Besides, girls were more likely to experience electronic victimization in the mental health and school samples. In conclusion, electronic victimization is distributed differentially according to the adolescents’ provenance group.

Online grooming among Portuguese adolescents and the COVID-19 lockdown: Relationship with other types of victimization

Background: Online grooming is the sexual solicitations and interactions between an adult and a minor, aiming to sexually abuse or obtain sexual material for the sexual satisfaction of themselves or others. Experiencing victimization during childhood or adolescence increases the probability of exposure to other types of victimization. Objectives: This study analyses the relationship between grooming, other types of juvenile victimization, and consensual sexting. We compare victims and non-victims of online grooming concerning sexting, sextortion, juvenile victimization, and online parental control. We also aim to identify the prevalence of online grooming in the present sample during and after the COVID-19 pandemic confinement and the impact of other types of juvenile victimization on grooming. Participants: The sample comprised 106 Portuguese adolescents (57 boys and 49 girls) aged 12 to 15. Method: Participants answered the sociodemographic questionnaire that contemplates online parental control and sextortion items, the Questionnaire for Online Sexual Solicitations and Interactions with Adults, the Sexting Questionnaire, and the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. Results: The results showed a positive correlation between online grooming, juvenile victimization, and sexting, as well as statistically significant differences between victims and non-victims of online grooming. Victims showed higher levels of sexting, sextortion, and other juvenile victimization. It also revealed higher levels of sexting and online grooming during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Predictive validity showed that peer/sibling victimization and sexual victimization predicted online grooming. Conclusions: This study promotes a better understanding of online grooming by exploring the association between different types of victimization.

Drug Dependency Due to Traumatic Childhood Experiences and Low Emotional Intelligence of Juvenile Felons in India

ABSTRACT Children involved with the juvenile justice system for engaging in unlawful acts are more likely than their peers of the same age to use cannabis and alcohol, which increases the likelihood of adverse behavioral outcomes and prolonged involvement with the judicial system. This study focuses on the relationship between child maltreatment, emotional intelligence and drug dependence among children in conflict with the law. The participants of the study are 130 justice-involved male juveniles in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who are given the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), and Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) for assessment. Interviews are conducted to obtain the data required for the study. For the statistical analysis, frequency, t-test, correlation, and regression analyses are used. Results of the study indicates that low level/lack of emotional intelligence which enhances the likelihood of juveniles being in conflict with the law and engaging in harmful, drug-dependent behavior. No significant relationship is observed between child maltreatment and drug-dependent behavior. For these juveniles, marijuana serves as the gateway drug. Peer influence and school dropout have a substantial influence on drug-dependent behavior.

Criminal and legal qualification of the victim of the crime of enticing a minor into committing acts endangering his life (Article 151² of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)

This article explores the intricate landscape of criminal-legal relations pertaining to the definition of characteristics of victims, particularly minors, within the framework of Article 151² of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The author unravels the psychological, social, and legal foundations underpinning the inclusion of "minor" as a distinct category characterizing crime victims. Emphasizing modern perspectives on human development and the determination of the age of majority, the study delves into the nuanced legal status of minors as both subjects and victims of criminal acts. Employing general scientific methods, formal-legal interpretation, and critical-legal analysis, the author scrutinizes the existing legal norms, shedding light on their shortcomings. Special attention is dedicated to unique categories of juvenile victims, such as emancipated individuals and those with social and mental development peculiarities. The research marks a contribution by offering the first comprehensive analysis of victim characteristics governed by Article 151². Key findings underscore the necessity of recognizing minors as a distinctive victim category, driven by inherent psychological traits, the demand for specialized legal protection, and their limited legal status. The study highlights specific temporal constraints related to the minor age of victims and minimizes the relevance of personal characteristics and moral qualities in cases involving crimes committed by minors. Proposing legislative improvements, the article enhances understanding and discourse in this complex intersection of criminal law and juvenile victimology.

Impact of poly-victimization and resilience on anxiety: Delinquent and non-delinquent youth samples

Victims of poly-victimization reveal a higher negative impact than victims of a single type of violence. Exposure to multiple types of violence is a stronger predictor of developing worse mental health outcomes. The main objectives of this study are to verify the relationship between poly-victimization, anxiety, and resilience, compare delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents, and identify the predictors of anxiety. The sample comprises 143 adolescents between 12 and 17 years old (M = 14.93, SD = 1.63), of which 97 (67.8 %) were identified as young delinquents and 46 (32.2 %) as non-delinquents. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), the Resilience Scale (RS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAIC C-2). Analysis showed a relationship between JVQ, the RS, and the STAIC C-2. Compared to non-delinquents, young delinquents reported more childhood victimization episodes, more anxiety, and less resilience. Additionally, gender, poly-victimization, and resilience are significant predictors of anxiety. The findings showed that poly-victimization and resilience affect anxiety.

Evaluation of neuropsychological characteristics and attention bias in juvenile offenders, juvenile victims, and juveniles who have not participated in the criminal justice system.

The increasing inclusion of children in the criminal justice system as "juvenile offenders" and "juvenile victims" has recently emerged as a severe and multifaceted problem. This study evaluates whether juvenile offenders differ from juveniles who have not participated in the criminal justice system and juvenile victims regarding executive function skills and attentional bias. The participant group comprised 85 children aged 12-18, and the study setting was Turkey, utilizing one control group and two treatment groups with open criminal case files in Antalya Courthouse. The first treatment group consisted of 30 juvenile offenders; the second consisted of 30 juvenile victims. The control group consisted of 25 juveniles who were not juvenile offenders or victims. In this context, children's executive functions were measured with the short-form Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices Test, the TBAG-form Stroop test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and the Istanbul 5 Cube Planning Test. Attentional bias was measured using a dot-probe task. Illiteracy, intellectual or developmental disability, and being a non-native Turkish speaker were the exclusion criteria for all three groups. The study found that the scores of the juvenile offender group on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale were significantly higher than the children in the juvenile victim group and the children in the control group. For other tests measuring executive functions, the control group's scores were significantly higher than juvenile offenders and juvenile victims. Regarding attentional bias, the children in the control group exhibited less attentional bias to negative stimuli than the juvenile offenders and victims. Researchers have generally addressed the reasons that push children to crime and become victims of crime through individual, familial, and environmental reasons. However, the number of studies investigating the neuropsychological characteristics of children dragged into crime is relatively limited in our country. In addition, there is no study comparing the executive functions and attentional bias of children who are dragged into crime, victimized children, and children without a history of being dragged into crime and victimization. In this context, this study can highlight important implications for the judicial system regarding juvenile delinquency interventions.