Delinquency, Victimization, and Risk Factors: Differences and Similarities between Boys and Girls

Based on the results of a Swiss nationwide survey of self-reported delinquency, this paper compares the delinquency and victimization of boys and girls. While more boys report delinquent acts in the previous 12 months, this difference pertains only to violent acts. Self-reports of thievery do not differ between the sexes. Similarly, more boys claim they were the victims of violent acts. Delinquency and victimization are correlated for both girls and boys. The analysis of risk factors highlights differences by sex, but also differences according to the nature of the delinquent acts and of victimizations.