Risk of Crime Victimization Among Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence

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Abstract
This article explores the degree to which youth are at higher risk of crime victimization when they live in a household with an adult who has been the victim of domestic violence or another violent crime. Combined data from the 1996, 1997, and 1998 National Crime Victimization Surveys show a generally higher victimization risk for youth who live in households with a victimized adult. The risk is elevated for youth from households with adult victims of both domestic and other nondomestic violence. Girls living in households with an adult victim of domestic violence appear to be at particularly high risk for crime victimization. Some of the added risk for such youth appears to be from family members. These findings reinforce the need to direct crime prevention and detection efforts toward youth in households in which an adult has been victimized.