Children and the Law: How Does Early Contact with Law Enforcement Predict Severity and Frequency of Offending Later in Life?

Abstract

Based on observations recorded through police contact, this study examined the influence of individual and environmental factors on predicting involvement in offence type categories (Non-Violent; Violent; Sexual) in samples of children before and after the age of criminal responsibility (age 12). The sample comprised 2,862 Canadians (1,732; 61% male and 1,123; 39% female) between the ages of 0 and 18, with law enforcement contact prior to the age of 12. A larger proportion of males in both the under 12 and over 12 samples were in the Non-Violent Offence type than the other two offence types. However, more females over 12 were in Violent Offence type than the other two offence types. Various factors emerged as predictors that were differentially influential for males versus females in the under 12 and over 12 categories. Mental Health, Age of First Contact, Alcohol/Drug Use and Violence in the Home were predictors for different offence types for males and females in the under 12 sample. In the over 12 sample the following predictors emerged: Alcohol/Drug Use; Age of First Contact; and Child Welfare Concerns differently for males and females in the Violent and Sexual groups. Further, different variables predicted changes in group membership after age 12 and a high rate of desisters was observed. Across all under 12 offence types, a high proportion of desisters was observed. This study addresses several gaps in the extant literature: onset of criminal behaviour prior to the age of criminal responsibility (age 12); differential law enforcement contacts (i.e., witness, victim, and perpetrator); escalation in offence severity; concentration on rural policing areas and Saskatchewan First Nations communities.