NCJ Number
195040
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This fact sheet presents an overview of the violence perpetrated by and among Canadian youths between the ages of 12 and 19.
Abstract
The focus of this fact sheet is on youthful perpetrators of violence as well as young victims. The fact sheet begins with a definition of youth violence that includes any act of physical, sexual, or psychological assault by a person aged 12 to 19. It describes the main forms of youth violence as being emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. It also explains that the victims of such abuse tend to be young themselves, including girlfriends and boyfriends, siblings, and peers. The fact sheet explains that the prevalence of youth violence in Canada is difficult to ascertain due to definitional inconsistencies and crime reporting problems. Next, the fact sheet explains various risk factors for both perpetrating youth violence and becoming of victim of such violence, including being male, having few economic resources, and belonging to an ethnic minority group. Family factors are also discussed in the section on risk factors. Many perpetrators and young victims of youth violence were abused during their childhood by an adult. Similarly, it has been found that those youths who have an adult relative involved in criminal activity are 2.5 times more likely to commit a violent offense themselves. Some risk factors, such as patriarchal views and involvement in gang activity are particular to males. The fact sheet goes on to offer information on where to seek help for perpetrators of youth violence, young victims, and families confronting the problem. The fact sheet concludes with a list of suggested readings.