Self-report delinquency studies in Italy

Abstract

Over the last twenty years the use of self-reports as tools of research in the field of criminology has increased at both international level, where they had already been in use for some time, and nationally. Nowadays, self-report research focusing on the analysis of deviant behaviour is in continuous increase, to the extent that in this paper we report studies (carried out between 1980 and 2007) that have made a valid contribution to the national and international body of literature on this subject (Tab.I). Findings from this overview show that the use of self-report delinquency studies in Italy is on the increase and provide more in-depth information about the extent of some deviant phenomena. Specifically, the results highlight that:
- although deviant behaviours are rather common, most of the crimes committed are minor;
- the most important risk factors involved in the onset of deviant behaviours are maladjustment, scholastic failure and especially family break-up;
- female deviance was found to be more frequent than reported by the official judicial statistics;
- among the types of deviant behaviour analysed, it came to light that: a) bullying is increasing and involves both males and females, albeit in different ways; b) the use of alcohol and spirits begins at an early age; c) the use/abuse of soft drugs is concentrated in the 13-14 years age group; d) the use of hard drugs is prevalent from eighteen year onwards.
Important positive initiatives about bullying prevention (promoted by Ministro Fioroni, Ministry of Education) are been created at national level. Government organises campaigns of communication and diversification of information addressed not only teachers but also families and students in order to better understand the characteristics of this phenomena. It is important to underline that the Government also established a toll free telephone number (“numero verde antibullismo”) that helps people to tackle this important problem that has emerged only in recent years and that allows a constant monitoring of the phenomena.