Child abuse and juvenile delinquency: A review of the literature

Charlotte Center Anthony

Abstract

There seems to be common agreement among practitioners and researchers in Criminal Justice that youth who are abused often become participants in the juvenile justice system. The current literature finds considerable evidence to support this position. However, some questions concerning the relationship between child abuse and juvenile delinquency remain. Specifically, how direct, or casual, is the link between the two? Are different groups of youth, such as Hispanic famales uniquely affected?