Child abuse, delinquency, and violent criminality

Abstract

Most physically abused children do not become violent delinquents – at least as far as we know. However, a high proportion of delinquents, particularly violent delinquents, have been severely abused. Indeed, many, perhaps most, violent adult criminals have histories of extraordinary abuse in childhood. Thus, there is clearly an association of childhood abuse and subsequent antisocial, aggressive acts. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the relationship of these phenomena and consider some additional factors that seem to influence whether physical abuse in childhood will be followed by violence in youth and adulthood.