According to research, how are juvenile victimization rates affected by age?

The assertion that younger people are more often targets of victimization is supported by a substantial body of research in criminology and sociology. Studies indicate that children and adolescents are frequently at a higher risk of becoming victims of various forms of crime, including bullying, theft, and assault. Factors contributing to this heightened risk include their physical vulnerability, social status within peer groups, and the developmental stage they are in, which often leads to involvement in environments or situations that can increase exposure to potential offenders.

Younger individuals may lack the social skills or life experience to effectively navigate risky situations, making them more susceptible to victimization. Moreover, certain environments, such as schools or neighborhoods, may pose additional threats to younger populations. Therefore, the claim that younger people are more often targets is well-grounded in evidence reflecting broader trends in juvenile victimization rates.

In contrast, claims that older individuals are more likely to be victims, or that victimization risk is unaffected by age, do not align with the trends observed in research, as they neglect the specific vulnerabilities and contexts that give rise to higher victimization rates among younger individuals.