title: Gender differences in recidivism rates for juvenile justice youth: the impact of sexual abuse.
abstract: Young female offenders represent a growing number of young offenders. Studies have shown that youth in the juvenile justice system, particularly young females, report higher rates of lifetime sexual abuse than their nonoffending peers. The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in risk factors for recidivism, including a history of sexual abuse, among a juvenile court clinic sample. Findings suggest that, even after accounting for previously identified risk factors for recidivism such as prior legal involvement and conduct problems, a history of sexual abuse is the most salient predictor of recidivism for young female offenders, but not for males. The development of gender-responsive interventions to reduce juvenile recidivism and continued legal involvement into adulthood may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Selby M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.affiliation: Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolou-Shams
authors.affiliation: Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center.
authors.forename: Christie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Placella
authors.affiliation: Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center.
authors.forename: Larry K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009511:New England; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors