An Evaluation for Children Dragged into Crime and Children Victims of Crime

Abstract

The number of forensic cases for children and adolescents increases in the world and our country. Children and adolescents appear as perpetrators or victims of a crime during the judicial evaluation process. Children/adolescents who are neglected and abused are likely to be involved in crime, and children and adolescents involved in crime are also more likely to be neglected and abused. In both cases, the mental health and quality of life of the child are negatively affected. Especially health professionals who provide services in the field of mental health need more knowledge and experience. Attitudes and behaviors that harm children's physical or mental health and prevent their development can abuse children in four ways: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Healthcare professionals need to recognize the risk factors that may cause neglect and abuse and take a protective role in this process first. Psychological traumas occur in children and adolescents after the phenomenon of abuse or neglect occurs, and treatment is more complicated and difficult than taking preventive measures. Therefore, determining the risky groups in terms of neglect and abuse and taking protective measures will be the most valuable step. It will help raise awareness about the risks of abuse/neglect and ways of protection at the social level so it will enable both children to be protected from abuse and to learn how to deal with possible abuse.

Keywords

• child
• adolescent
• neglect
• abuse
• violence
• crime