Presents current research on the connection between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency and describes a variety of practical interventions and policy responses. Data reveal that neglected or physically abused children are at high risk for crime and violence. While it is important to identify these children early, it also is critical to be sensitive to the potential negative effects of increased attention and surveillance; that is, great care must be taken to prevent early identification from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Given the uncertainty of predicting which abused and neglected children will become tomorrow’s delinquents, the front line of delinquency prevention should focus on the prevention of abuse and neglect itself. Intervention should involve a continuous staging of individualized assessments, beginning with factors that put children at risk. Promising tools and programs include approaches that focus on family risk factors for delinquency and violence, prevention programsthat promote pro-social behavior and eliminate disruptive behavior before it involves the juvenile justice system, and recidivism-reduction programs that provide interpersonal skills training, behavioral contracting, and individualized counseling. Increased collaboration among the juvenile justice system, child welfare agencies, and other youth-servicing entities is essential to achieve the well being of children.
