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The links between victimization and offending. David J. Smith. Volume of delinquency by variety of victimization: sweep 4. Volume of broad delinquency by victimization: sweep 4. Volume of serious delinquency by victimization: sweep 4.
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The links between victimization and offending David J. Smith
Correlation between delinquency, bullying, and victimization: s.4
Correlations between delinquency & victimization at successive sweeps
Links between victimization and delinquency over time • The strongest link is between victimization and offending over the same 12-month period • But victimization is linked with delinquency up to three years later • Equally, delinquency is linked to victimization up to three years later
Explanations • Interaction within a social circle • Polarized circles of acquaintance • Interactions with intimate relationships • Common origins of offending and victimization • Personal characteristics • Social and environmental factors
Explanations contd. • Causal relationships between offending and victimization • Offending causes victimization • Victimization causes offending
Evidence relating to these explanations • Regression analyses use victimization at sweep 2 to predict delinquency at sweep 4, and vice versa • The basic model (step 1) confirms strong links in both directions. Adult harassment as well as victimization predicts later delinquency
Evidence contd. • At step 2, personality (risk-taking) and social class explain a small part of the link • At step 3, risky activities and situations, and delinquent friends, explains a substantial part of the link • At steps 4 and 5, parental bonds and neighbourhood deprivation increase, and do not reduce, the link
Conclusions • The most important factors explaining the link between victimization and offending are getting involved in risky activities and situations, and having a delinquent circle of friends • To a small extent, the same personality traits underlie both
Conclusions contd. • There is evidence for a genuine causal link between victimization, running in both directions • The findings reinforce the Kilbrandon philosophy, which advocates dealing with young people according to their needs, not primarily as offenders or victims