CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR SUBSEQUENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY: A STUDY AMONG MALE CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW IN INDIA

Gurneet Kaur Kalra; Agathumariyan Michael

Gurneet Kaur Kalra Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi
Agathumariyan Michael University of Madras, Chennai

Keywords: Delinquency, children in conflict with the law, child abuse

Abstract

Children who were victims of early childhood abuse inclusive of physical, emotional and sexual abuse - are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, commit delinquent acts, and be addicted to drugs and alcohol, compared to children who were not victimized. In this paper, an attempt is made to elucidate the relationship between early childhood abuse and delinquent behavior. A study was conducted among male delinquents (n=60) under institutional care in New Delhi, India. The results of the study clearly reveal that three- fourths of the children surveyed have experienced childhood abuse in some form, including physical, mental and sexual abuse.

Author Biographies

Gurneet Kaur Kalra, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi

UGC - Junior Research Fellow, Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi

Agathumariyan Michael, University of Madras, Chennai

UGC - Senior Research Fellow, Department of Criminology, University of Madras, Chennai