1. By Tamburai Muchinguri
Crime & Risk factors
By Tamburai
Muchinguri

2. Introduction
As they grow up, children are exposed to a number of factors which may increase their risk for problems such as abusing drugs or engaging in delinquent behavior.
These factors may be referred to as risk factors.

3. Definition
Risk factors are any circumstances that may increase children’s likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors.
Risk factors function in a cumulative fashion, that is, the greater the number of risk factors, the greater the likelihood that children will engage in delinquent or other risky behavior.
There is evidence that problem behaviors associated with risk factors tend to cluster.

4. Cont’d
For example, delinquency and violence cluster with other problems, such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy and school misbehavior.
There is however a difference between root cause and risk factors.
A cause-effect mindset makes it too easy to assume that the existence of a risk factor inevitably leads to criminality.

5. Cont’d
For example, poverty is a factor in criminal behavior. However many poor people do not engage in crime.
It therefore does not mean that if you are poor you can commit crimes but chances of you committing crimes are high.

6. Categories of risk behaviors
Risk factors are organized into 5 main categories:
Individual
Family
School
Peer group
community

7. Cont’d Individual risk factors.
Antisocial behavior and alienation/ general delinquency involvement, drug dealing
Gun possession/illegal gun ownership or carrying
Favorable attitudes towards drug use, early use of alcohol/ drug use
Early onset of aggression/ violence
Victimization and exposure to violence {value judgment is distorted}

8. Cont’d
Early sexual involvement
Mental disorder/mental health problem

9. Family risk factors
Family history of problem behavior/parent criminality
Family management problems/poor parent supervision and or monitoring
Poor family attachment/bonding
Child victimization and maltreatment
Pattern of high family conflict
Family violence

10. Cont’d Broken home Sibling anti social behavior
Parental use of physical punishment/harsh and or erratic discipline practices
Low parent education level /literacy
Maternal depression

11. School Risk Factors Low academic achievement
Negative attitude toward school/low bonding/low school attachment/ low commitment to school.
Truancy/frequent absences
Suspension
Dropping out of school.
Inadequate school climate/poorly organized and functioning schools/negative labeling by teachers
Identified as learning disabled

12. Peer Risk factors Gang involvement/gang membership
Association with delinquent/ aggressive peers
Peer rejection

13. Community risk factors
Availability /use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in neighborhood
Availability of firearms
High crime neighborhood
Community instability
Low community attachment
Economic deprivation/poverty/residence in a disadvantaged neighborhood
Neighborhood youth in trouble
Feeling unsafe in the neighborhood
Social and physical disorder/disorganized neighborhood