Consensual Sex and Sex Abuse in Juvenile Institutions: A Multi-level Analysis

• In Event: Juvenile Institutions: Issues and Concerns

Abstract

This paper uses multi-level analysis to model the effects of both institutional and state characteristics on consensual and forced sex in 118 juvenile correctional facilities across 36 states. Data are taken from the 2012 National Survey of Youth in Custody to facilitate analysis of why certain places experience much higher incidence of reported sexual contact. We examine several dimensions of reported sexual contact including: consensual contact between juveniles; forced contact between juvenile and contact between juveniles and staff. At the institutional-level, facility capacity is a significant predictor of reported sexual contact. Findings also indicate that state-level variables such as median income and state-level violent crime rates are significantly associated with reported incidents.

Authors

• S. E. Costanza, University of South Alabama

• David A. Bowers, University of South Alabama