Street Youth Violence And Victimization

Abstract

The article reviews the literature surrounding street youth violence and victimization. It examines the role backgrounds of physical and sexual victimization play in street youth[#x2019]s taking to the street and their link to violent behaviors once there. It reveals that violent home experiences educate street youth to use force to settle disputes and provide cultural rules that support violence. On the street, these rules are broadened and reinforced by poverty, the threat of victimization, violent peers, and immersion in an environment where violence is the favored method of dispute resolution. These home and street experiences also serve to increase the risk of violent victimization on the street. These youth[#x2019]s risky lifestyles, deviant subsistence strategies, deviant peers, and involvement in violence all serve to increase the likelihood of sexual and physical victimization. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Impact of family abuse on running away, deviance, and street victimization among homeless rural and urban youth

“…Deviant subsistence strategies have been shown to increase the risk of exploitation and victimization (Baron, 2003;Hagan & McCarthy, 1997;Lauritsen et al, 1991;Whitbeck & Hoyt, 1999). In a study of Los Angeles' homeless adolescents, nearly 75% witnessed physical attacks whereas 50% had been physically threatened (Kipke et al, 1997).…”

A Comparison of Risk Factors for Sexual Victimization Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Homeless Young Adults

“…A lthough research has demonstrated that homeless youth in general experience high rates of victimization on the streets (Baron, 1997;Baron, 2003;Hagan & McCarthy, 1997;Tyler, Hoyt, Whitbeck, & Cauce, 2001b;, some research has found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual homeless youth experience more victimization compared to their heterosexual counterparts because of their higher rates of sexual and/or physical abuse in the home (Cochran, Stewart, Ginzler, & Cauce, 2002;Rew, Whittaker, Taylor-Seehafer, & Smith, 2005;Whitbeck, Chen, Hoyt, Tyler, & Johnson, 2004), stressors associated with their sexual orientation (D'Augelli, Hershberger, & Pilkington, 1998;Martin & Hetrick, 1988;Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995), and bias-related crimes (Herek, Cogan, & Gillis, 2002;Willis, 2004). Also, because research finds that gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth are more likely to lack family support (D'Augelli, 1998), have family difficulties, and run away or be expelled from home (Cochran et al, 2002;Martin & Hetrick, 1988;Remafedi, 1987;Savin-Williams, 1994), they may be less likely to return home and, consequently, have fewer resources available.…”

Invited Commentary: National Safe Place: Meeting the Immediate Needs of Runaway and Homeless Youth

“…In a study of youth on the street, Molnar et al (1998) reported that, among runaway youth, 35% of males and females reported physical abuse but 70% of females and 24% of males reported sexual abuse before leaving home. Research on homeless youth finds that, in general, the rates of reported physical abuse range from 16-81 to 5-50% for sexual abuse (Baron 2003). This childhood physical and sexual abuse in turn increases youths' risk for victimization on the street (Baron 2003) and suicide (Molnar et al 1998).…”

“…Research on homeless youth finds that, in general, the rates of reported physical abuse range from 16-81 to 5-50% for sexual abuse (Baron 2003). This childhood physical and sexual abuse in turn increases youths' risk for victimization on the street (Baron 2003) and suicide (Molnar et al 1998). Runaway youth are thus not only likely to be running from a physically or sexually abusive situation but also highly vulnerable to sexual assaults and physical dangers once on the street.…”

“…Homeless youth often turn to illegal and high-risk activities to survive (Benoit-Bryan 2008), such as trading sex (Greene et al 1999) and dealing drugs (Whitbeck et al 2001). These high risk behaviors increase youth's exposure to offenders (Baron 2003) and exploitive/ deviant peers (Whitbeck et al 1999). As a result of these high risk factors, homeless youth are also at great risk for pregnancy and disease.…”