ADOLESCENTS AS VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

Adolescents experience maltreatment at rates equal to or exceeding tho se of younger children. Recent increases in reported cases of maltreat ment have occurred disproportionately among older children and adolesc ents. However, adolescents are less likely to be reported to child pro tective services and are more likely to be perceived as responsible fo r their maltreatment. Adolescent girls are reported as victims more of ten than boys, especially in sexual abuse. However, boys may be less l ikely to be identified or reported and often are abused by nonfamily m embers. Parents of adolescent victims have higher average income and e ducational levels and are less likely to have a parental history of ab use than parents of younger children. A wide range of serious adolesce nt risk behaviors is associated with maltreatment. These include incre ased risk of premature sexual activity, unintended pregnancy, emotiona l disorders, suicide attempts, eating disorders, alcohol and other dru g abuse, and delinquent behavior. Incarcerated youth, homeless or runa way youth, and youth who victimize siblings or assault parents have be en shown to have high rates of prior maltreatment. Signs of maltreatme nt are often ambiguous for adolescents. Screening questions have been effective in prompting self-disclosure of abuse. Adolescents also expe rience problems in the child welfare system that offers fewer and less appropriate services for this age group. Recommendations are made reg arding screening of adolescents for maltreatment, the development of b etter services for adolescents, research on parenting to prevent maltr eatment, and training of school staff to identify and refer victims of maltreatment.