Crimes against Children International Research Conference

UNH Family Research Lab

 

MEDIA ADVISORY:

UNH Hosts International Conference on Crimes against Children June 25-28

By Tracy Manforte
UNH News Bureau

DURHAM, N.H. -- More than 200 researchers from 15 countries will be on campus next week as the University of New Hampshire hosts "Victimization of Children and Youth: An International Research Conference" June 25-28 at the New England Center.

Ground-breaking research will be presented on bullying and peer aggression, child abuse, Internet crimes, and property crimes, to name a few topics. Conference co-chairs professors David Finkelhor and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, both of the UNH Family Research Laboratory (FRL), expect about 170 research papers to be presented or made available by researchers from around the world, including Asia, South America, Africa, the Pacific Rim, Europe, and the Middle East.

The following UNH-based studies are among the research findings to be presented during the conference (Date, time and place of presentation follow):

  • Adults with a history of childhood abuse are more likely to suffer from a variety of chronic pain syndromes, have surgery more often, and engage in harmful behaviors. "The Health Effects of Victimization" by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, FRL, and Valerie Edwards, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tuesday, June 27, 11:45 a.m., Great Bay Room B.

  • Twenty percent of youth who routinely use the Internet are sexually solicited; 25 percent are exposed to unwanted pornography. "Findings from the Youth Internet Safety Survey" by David Finkelhor, Kimberly Mitchell and Janis Wolak, Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC). Tuesday, June 27, 10 a.m., Great Bay Room A.

  • Children are more likely to suffer property crimes, such as theft and robbery, and are less likely than adults to report these incidents to law enforcement officials. "Juvenile Property Victimization" by Richard Ormrod, CCRC. Tuesday, June 27, 10 a.m., Great Bay Room B.

  • The number of reports of sexual abuse is on the decline. "The Decline of Sexual Abuse Reports and Substantiations: A Consideration of Possible Cause" by Lisa Jones, David Finkelhor and Kathy Kopiec, CCRC. Monday, June 26, 1:45 p.m., Great Bay Room A.

  • Children with learning disabilities are at increased risk of victimization. "Corporal Punishment and Peer Bullying of Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and Asperger's Syndrome" by Liza Little, UNH Department of Nursing. Tuesday, June 27, 3:30 p.m., Great Bay Room A.

    • In addition, a number of studies will examine the effectiveness of prevention programs, including two that analyze the effectiveness of home visitation to prevent child abuse in the first few months of life. John Landsverk, of Children's Hospital in San Diego, and Jacques Moreau, of the University of Montreal, will present their research Monday, June 26, at 1:45 p.m. in the Champlain Room.

    Susan Zuravin, University of Maryland, will discuss the link between depression in mothers and their likelihood of abusing their own children. Her research will be presented Monday, June 26, at 11:45 a.m. in Great Bay Room A.

    Malcolm Watson, Brandeis University, will describe signs that predict later aggressive behavior in children, including research on playing with toy guns. Watson will present his findings Monday, June 26, at 11:45 a.m. in Great Bay Room A.

    For more information on the conference in general or other presenters and topics, log-on to www.unh.edu/frl/Conf2000home.htm.

    June 19, 2000


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