NCJ Number
139325
Date Published
1992
Length
215 pages
Annotation
This British study presents the experiences of a sample of children (up to age 17) and their families who were involved in cases that came to the attention of the police in Oxford in 1987 and in three towns in Bedfordshire in 1988. The study examines the impact of the victimizations and subsequent criminal justice processing and offers suggestions for improved victim services.
Abstract
The study involved a survey of the records of 783 direct child victims and 141 cases that involved indirect child victims that came to the attention of the police and victim support schemes in the two, field-work areas of Oxford and Bedfordshire over the period of a year. Data were also collected from lengthy interviews with 85 direct child victims and their families and with 40 families in which children were identified as indirect victims, and an additional 87 replies to questionnaires were received. Interviews with key personnel from all the agencies in the fieldwork areas determined how many child victims were referred and by whom, what types of crime were involved, and how the various agencies responded to them. Other data sources were interviews with key personnel and analysis of the records of the victim support schemes in Oxford and Bedfordshire, and an analysis of all cases that involved child victims who came to the attention of victim support schemes over a period of a month across the country. Data analysis focused on the prevalence and nature of child victimization that did not include child abuse. Other issues examined were the impact of crime on children, police policies and practices, the impact of criminal justice processing on child victims, and the response of social and welfare agencies to child victims. A summary of the issues and implications for policy focuses on the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, victim support schemes, and other agencies. 244-item bibliography and subject index