Perpetrators of early physical and sexual abuse among homeless and runaway adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To examine abuse specific variables among homeless and runaway adolescents and to look at perpetrators of childhood abuse. Method: A total of 372 homeless and runaway adolescents were interviewed using a systematic sampling strategy in metropolitan Seattle. Young people were interviewed on the streets and in shelters by outreach workers in youth service agencies. Results: Approximately one-half of these young people reported being physically abused and almost one-third experienced sexual abuse. Females experienced significantly higher rates of sexual abuse compared to males, and sexual minority youth experienced significantly higher rates of physical and sexual abuse compared to heterosexual youth. Average duration of physical and sexual abuse was 5 and 2 years, respectively. Both types of abuse were rated as extremely violent by more than half of those who were abused. The average number of different perpetrators of physical and sexual abuse was four and three, respectively. Biological parents were the majority of perpetrators for physical abuse whereas nonfamily members most often perpetrated sexual abuse. Average age of perpetrators was late 20s to early 30s and the majority of perpetrators were male for both types of abuse. Conclusions: The pattern of exploitation and victimization within the family may have serious and cumulative developmental consequences for these youth as they enter the street environment. Early intervention programs are needed to break the cycle of exploitation and abuse that adolescents experience within the family. Without intervention, many of these youth may be at risk of future exploitation and re-victimization out on the street.

Correlates of Suicidality: Investigation of a Representative Sample of Manitoba First Nations Adolescents

“…Furthermore, it has been found that family members make up a substantial proportion of perpetrators of abuse in different samples (Halperin et al, 1996;Tyler & Cauce, 2002;Robin et al, 1997b). The indirect influence of peer/family factors on suicidal behaviour was outside the scope of this study, however, their relationship to suicidality should not…”

A Review on The Perpetrators of Child Abuse

“…Categories included in this population are adoptive fathers, boyfriends of the mother, stepfathers, foster parents, other relatives, day care providers, or even friends (CAADA Research Report, 2014). Evidences regarding the higher tendency of male perpetrators with no biological relationship to be engaged in child sexual abuse could be seen in the study by Tyler and Cauce (2002) also,which contained interviews on 372 homeless and runaway adolescents.…”

“…According to Tyler and Cauce (2002), the average age range of the perpetrators would start from late 20s and would extend up to early 30s. Investigation done by Fehrenbach, Smith, Monastersky and Deisher (1986), based on a descriptive data (N = 305) had revealed the proneness of adolescents to commit a series of sexual offenses.…”

Interventions With Street Youth: A Commentary on the Practice-Based Research Literature

“…Street youth are a diverse group, consisting of individuals with unique backgrounds and characteristics, including culture, age, sexual orientation, and family situations (Karabanow, 2003;Kurtz, Jarvis, & Kurtz, 1991;Robertson & Toro, 1991;Unger, Kipke, Simon, Montgomery, & Johnson, 1997;Zide & Cherry, 1992). Common among many street youth are backgrounds associated with physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to delinquent activities such as substance use, prostitution, and petty crime (Cauce et al, 2000;Karabanow, 2003;Kurtz et al, 1991;McCarthy & Hagan, 1992;Tyler & Cauce, 2002). Such backgrounds may contribute to street youth's exhibiting high rates of depression (Unger et al, 1997), drug and alcohol abuse (Booth, Zhang, & Zwiatkowski, 1999;Yates, MacKenzie, Pennbridge, & Cohen, 1988), and sexual, emotional, and behavioral problems (Cauce et al, 2000).…”