Crossover youth: an analysis of the interaction between the child protection and youth justice systems in the Portuguese socio-legal context

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in interest in understanding the vulnerabilities and different developmental pathways of young people involved simultaneously in child protection and juvenile justice systems. Professionals and researchers have long recognised that crossover youth face significant risks related to mental health issues, substance abuse, academic and interpersonal difficulties, but also early involvement in juvenile justice, the commission of more violent crimes, a higher rate of recidivism, and facing longer detentions and sentences, thus contributing to the propensity to commit crimes. These young people are often exposed to multiple overlapping and interacting risk factors, further exacerbating their vulnerabilities and creating a difficult cycle to break. Based on a theoretical literature review, this article aims primarily to understand the characteristics and dynamics of crossover youth, while also proposing to be a theoretical basis for future research on the topic. This study intends to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the challenges and needs of crossover youth, promoting the discussion on practices and policies that can improve their life outcomes.

https://zenodo.org/records/14420054​