The repeat victimization of children : Should the concept be revised ?

Abstract Many children suffer multiple incidents of abuse, either involving the same or a different perpetrator. However, neither the literature on child abuse nor that on repeat victims of crime has addressed the question “why are some abused or neglected children more vulnerable to further abuse than others?” If this question can be answered, and we are able to identify those characteristics that put a child at further risk, Child Protection agencies will be better equipped to direct their resources to those children most in need. The advantages of a victimological approach to this problem are discussed and a new glossary of terms proposed to draw distinctions between different types of repeat victimization. It is suggested that this may provide an appropriate framework for subsequent research.

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