NCJ Number
158371
Date Published
Unknown
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Juvenile violence is examined with respect to trends, major risk factors, knowledge about prevention and control, and what advocates can do to reduce youth violence.
Abstract
The data reveal a substantial increase over the last decade in the rates at which children and adolescents are victimized by violence. In addition, serious crime committed by juveniles is increasing. However, the general public's assumptions are not supported by facts. The data do not point to a significant increase in the percentage of serious, violent, or chronic juvenile offenders. Research suggests that childhood exposure to violence increases the risk of violence during adolescence and that physical child abuse and neglect are directly linked to later violent behavior. The National Research Council concluded that economic hardship is the mot consistent and powerful predictor of criminal activity among youths. The relationship between the availability of firearms and the rise in youth homicides is complicated. Although most violence prevention programs have not been systematically evaluated, practitioners and researchers agree that intervention should begin early in life, include multiple strategies, be developmentally specific, and designed for the long term. Advocates must recognize that the underlying causes of violence are mainly systemic in nature. Among the 25 actions advocates can take are to provide assistance to battered family members, represent children and parents in abuse and neglect cases, help reduce family stress by assisting families solve their housing and other problems, and ensure that children receive appropriate services for education and other areas. Additional recommendations, footnotes, and addresses and descriptions of resource organizations related to youth violence.