New AIC Publication: Repeat domestic and family violence among young people
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has released a paper that examines the involvement of young people in domestic and family violence (DFV), focusing on patterns of short-term reoffending and risk factors associated with reoffending.
The study analysed data on 4,000 young people (12-18 years old) reported to Victoria Police for DFV offending in 2014.
The study compared the reoffending rates and risk profiles of young people reported for domestic violence (DV) and those reported for family violence (FV).
The study identified very similar rates of short-term repeat violence for the DV and FV youth groups. One in four young people (26-28%) were involved in a repeat incident of DFV within six months of contact with the police. One in 20 (6-7%) were involved in repeat violence within 14 days, one in 10 (9-11%) within 30 days, and one in five (17-19%) within 90 days.
Risk of repeat violence was highest within the first four weeks post-offence, declining rapidly after this point.
The study found that although any prior contact with the police for DFV offending was associated with increased likelihood of short-term repeat offending among young people, multiple prior contacts was a stronger predictor.
The rates of repeat violence identified for young people were very consistent with trends identified for adult DV offenders.
This study highlights the importance of implementing strategies that respond to adolescent involvement in DFV to interrupt offending behaviours that could continue into adulthood. These strategies need to be put in place in the days and weeks following a report of DFV during periods of high risk for repeat offending.
