Child Victimization

This chapter will provide an overview of child victimization, its effects, and the need for services and program strategies critical to help the child and his or her family cope with the trauma of victimization. It addresses the broad scope of child victimization and its effects; emotional and communicative levels of children based upon age; and appropriate responses for general support services. In addition, this chapter focuses on providing support and services to child victims and witnesses if they are required to participate in the criminal justice process.

Learning objectives include:

• Federal initiatives for crimes dealing with child victimization.
• The types of child abuse and neglect most commonly reported.
• The short- and long-term emotional consequences of children who witness or experience victimization.
• A multi-disciplinary approach to administering victim services for child abuse.
• Child victims in the criminal justice process.
• Promising practices that improve services to child victims and witnesses and their families.