Police reporting and professional help seeking for child crime victims: A review.

Abstract

Abstract

Most crimes with child victims are not reported to police, nor do child victims access other professional victim services, despite evidence that these yield positive outcomes. This article develops a conceptual framework about the barriers to such access: (a) the reluctance to define the crime episodes or their consequences as serious, criminal, harmful, or warranting intervention; (b) the extra authorities, including parents and schools, who mediate between victims and police or services; (c) developmental issues, such as concerns about autonomy; (d) attiludinal and emotional obstacles; and (e) time and expense factors. This article suggests the need for initiatives to stimulate reporting and help seeking, such as more publicity about the seriousness of juvenile victimization, more justice-system involvement with schools, more child and family friendly police services, and an emphasis on attractive outcomes such as justice and empowerment.

Department

Sociology

Publication Date

2-2001

Journal Title

Child Maltreatment

Publisher

Sage Publications

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/1077559501006001002

Document Type

Article

Rights

© 2001 Sage Publications, Inc.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS