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From Victims to Offenders? Exploring The Role of Polyvictimization
Thu, September 4, 5:30 to 6:45pm, Deree | Classrooms, DC 601Abstract
Childhood and adolescent victimization are strongly linked to violent and antisocial behavior. Research indicates that exposure to multiple forms of victimization, known as polyvictimization, has cumulative and long-term effects on psychological, emotional, and behavioral development. While the link between polyvictimization and adolescent violent behavior is well established (Pires & Almeida, 2023), its role in sexual violence perpetration remains understudied.
Based on developmental victimology and the cumulative risk model (Finkelhor et al., 2007), this study examines polyvictimization in a sample of school-attending adolescents in Spain.
Self-reported violent behaviors and victimization experiences were analyzed in 4,024 adolescents (aged 14-17). Violent behavior was assessed using a 22-item questionnaire, including 11 items on sexual violence. Victimization was measured through a Spanish adaptation of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) (Finkelhor et al., 2005), with additional items on online victimization and sexual exploitation. Adolescents reporting victimization levels above the mean of their victimized group were classified as polyvictims (≥4). To compare polyvictimization prevalence, participants were categorized as sexual perpetrators (SP), non-sexual perpetrators (NSP), or non-perpetrators (NP).
Results show that SP experienced more victimization than NSP and NP. Polyvictimization was identified in 63% of SP, 45.6% of NSP, and 20.8% of NP. Gender differences were significant in all groups, with females at higher risk.
The most frequent victimization types among SP polyvictims were electronic victimization (81.2%), and dating violence (64.7%). Among NSP and NP, electronic victimization (79% and 70.2% respectively) and caregiver victimization (76.3% and 66.7% respectively) were most common.
The greatest differences among SP, NSP, and NP in reported victimizations were found in sexual exploitation (34.1%, 14.4%, and 7.8%, respectively) and sexual victimization (63.5%, 33.7%, and 32.9%, respectively).
Given its high prevalence and severe consequences, understanding the polyvictimization-sexual violence link is crucial for effective prevention. Integrating the victim-perpetrator overlap into interventions can enhance targeted prevention strategies.