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Risk Factors and Causal Mechanisms of Offending (PDF 1.34)
Risk Factors and Causal Mechanisms of Offending (PDF 1.34)
CAUSAL MECHANISMS OF
OFFENDING (PDF 1.34)
http://www.justice.govt.nz/justicesector/drivers-of-crime/publications-andbackground-information/documents/spbrisk-factors-and-causal-mechanisms
This brief provides an introduction to the
factors associated with an increasing risk
of offending, those factors which may
ameliorate risk, and the causal
mechanisms by which some factors lead
to offender behaviour.
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTOR
Risk factors are characteristics that
indicate an increased probability of
offending. They may be causality related
of offending or simply correlated with
such behaviour.
One risk factor alone is unlikely to lead to
offending: risk factors interact an
accumulate in complex ways over time
and at key life stages. Risk factors that
have been identified at a population-level
may operate and differently at the level
of the individual.
Risk factors indicate an increased
likelihood of offending but may not be the
underlying cause of offending.
Protective factors are factors that
mitigate the effect of risk factors,
reducing the likelihood of future
offending.
Risk and protective factors tend to fall
into one of two inter-related categories:
social context and individual
development.
More detailed information about social
and individual risk factors can be found in
the Strategic Policy Briefs Social Risk
Factors for involvement in crime and
Biological risk factors for involvement in
crime.
A Definition of
Social
Environment