Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Laudan Y. Aron on Crime and Justice

Many humans are trafficked across international borders for the purposes of labor or sexual exploitation. The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) developed the “Services for Trafficking Victims Discretionary Grant Program - Comprehensive Services Sites.” The program provides direct services, such as legal and crisis counseling to assist victims once they are identified until they are “certified” to receive other federal benefits. Urban Institute researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with survivors and with key service providers in three evaluation sites. The in-depth interviews document victims’ service needs, their experiences using OVC-funded services, and barriers to services. They also provide a unique opportunity to listen directly to the voices of the victims.

In this commentary, senior research associate Laudan Aron explores the dark side of a booming business -- matching American men with foreign women -- and what should be done to protect "mail-order brides."

This report summarizes and assesses the state of knowledge about children and youth with disabilities who are at risk of delinquency and involvement in the juvenile justice system or have already entered it. Topics include (1) laws and philosophical frameworks affecting this population of youth; (2) causal relationships between disability, delinquency, and justice system involvement; (3) factors affecting disability and delinquency; (4) current and anticipated programming; (5) the effectiveness of prevention, intervention and treatment, and management strategies; (6) barriers and facilitators to implementing effective strategies; and (7) recommended "next steps" for increasing knowledge and effective practice. By highlighting what is known about addressing delinquency and the diverse needs among this population, it aims to inform policy discussions among policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

[United Press International] Up to 20 percent of the estimated 100,000 youth in incarceration have serious mental disorders, 20 to 50 percent have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 12 percent are mentally retarded, and 30 percent or more have specific learning disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles these youth, like all youth with disabilities, to receive an education in regular classrooms and to receive disability-related services. As Congress debates the renewal of IDEA, the goal of the juvenile justice system—to help youth make a successful transition into adulthood—should be kept in mind.

This report assesses the progress and accomplishments of the STOP Program in the second year of STOP program authorization. The Violence Against Women Act, Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322), provides for Law Enforcement and Prosecution Grants to states under Chapter 2 of the Safe Streets Act. The grant have been designated the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) grants by their federal administrator, the Department of Justice's Violence Against Women Grants Office in the Office of Justice Programs. They are "to assist States, Indian tribal governments, and units of local government to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women, and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women."