Trajectories of victimization to violence among incarcerated women

Health & Justice

Preeta Saxena¹  Nena Messina² 

[1] Sociology Department, Institutional Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA, USA;UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs and Envisioning Justice Solutions, Inc., University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA;

关键词: Violence;    Perpetration;    Women;    Girls;    Age;    Victimization;    Trauma;    Incarcerated;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40352-021-00144-8

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionLimited research has focused on the trajectories of victimization to violence in women’s lives. Furthermore, literature assessing women’s use of violence has primarily focused on adult risk factors (e.g., substance use and criminal histories). Drawing from the pathway’s framework, we explored the impact of multiple forms of childhood victimization and subsequent harmful behaviors on adult-perpetrated violence among women convicted of violent or serious crimes.MethodsThis secondary data analysis included a sample of 1118 incarcerated women from two prisons. Based on prior literature outlining the lifelong negative impact of childhood victimization, we hypothesized that cumulatively, occurrence of abuses, arrest as a minor, number of lifetime arrests, and poly-substance use prior to incarceration, would increase the likelihood of perpetration of multiple forms of violence. GEE regression models were used to examine the relationship between the predictors and adult perpetration of intimidation and physical violence.ResultsExperiences with childhood victimization, early (under age 18) and ongoing criminal justice involvement, and substance use significantly increased the likelihood of adult perpetration of violence, regardless of the type of violence measured (intimidation or physical violence).ConclusionGiven the documented high prevalence of childhood trauma and abuse among justice-involved women, findings from this study can be used to promote the implementation of trauma-specific treatment for at-risk juvenile girls, whose trajectories of violence might be mitigated.

【 授权许可】

CC BY