Trajectories of Runaway Youths: An Analysis of Offending and Victimization

• In Event: Contemporary and Critical Issues in a Constantly Changing Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

Runaway youths are at elevated risk for a multitude of negative experiences, ranging from psychological and physical trauma to incarceration. Considering this, it is vital to offer interventions as early as possible. However, it is often difficult for police departments to successfully intervene in ways that benefit youth. The identification of runaway typologies has the potential to allow for law enforcement to quickly develop a tailored intervention plan based on the characteristics of the youth in order to reduce risk of future offending and/or victimization. Data from a 2012-2016 sample of Florida youth runaways that included a variety of individual and familial factors was examined. Resulting trajectories of youth runaways as well as future offending and victimization risk will be discussed.

Authors

• Michelle Jeanis, The University of South Florida

• Bryanna Fox, University of South Florida