Sexual Abuse Among Low-Functioning Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth

• In Event: Vulnerabilities and Risks Among Justice-Involved Youth

Abstract

Efforts to prevent sexual assault of juveniles under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 has resulted in a sophisticated system dedicated to prevention of sexual assault of youth entrusted to the care of detention and residential treatment facilities. Less is known, however, of the prevalence of sexual abuse among a particularly vulnerable population in the juvenile justice system: youth who have been identified as “low-functioning” or mentally challenged. The current study examines the prevalence and risk of sexual abuse among juvenile justice-involved youth identified as “low-functioning.” The session closes with a discussion of theory, policy and protocol implications, and implications for future research.

Authors

• John Haggerty, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Katherine Gomez, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Nathan Epps, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

• Mark Russell, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice