Victimization of mexican children and adolescents. Current knowledge and future directions

Victimization of children and adolescents is conceptualized comprehensively, including among others conventional crime, child maltreatment, parental and sibling victimization, cyberviolence, indirect victimization, school and community violence and victimization, threats and being exposed to violence. This study assesses whether the most recent population-based surveys allow a full measurement of Mexican children and adolescents' victimization and offers empirical data on the magnitude of the phenomenon (86% of Mexican youth between 14 and 17 years old were victimized during the last year). Current knowledge in Mexico emphasizes parental maltreatment and sexual abuse. Victimization of children under 12 years old is not measured by most surveys. Current data do not allow to assess the full burden of children and adolescents' victimization. Findings, public policy and research implications are discussed.