Youth Violence

Youth Violence Collage

While violence impacts people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity or religion, violence disproportionately affects young people (STRYVE: Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere, 2009). The young person can be a victim, an offender, or a witness to the violence. Some violent acts—such as bullying, slapping, or hitting—can cause more emotional harm than physical harm. Others, such as robbery, assault, or rape, can lead to serious injury or even death (Understanding Youth Violence, 2009).

Because of the multiple factors that contribute to the development of violent attitudes and behaviors, there is not one approach or one group that can effectively prevent violence. A comprehensive and coordinated violence prevention approach is needed from public health, education, justice, public safety, and human service systems and implemented with the support of community leaders, businesses, and faith-based organizations (STRYVE: Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere, 2009).

The Federal Government's FindYouthInfo.gov Web site highlights collaborations among Federal agencies to prevent and address instances of youth violence. For example, the National Public Health Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence, developed in 2009, is a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the implementation and evaluation of evidenced-informed strategies that reduce rates of youth violence (Collaborative Efforts to Address Youth Violence, 2009).

Each year in March, a week is recognized as National Youth Violence Prevention Week (NYVPW). In 2010, NYVPW will take place March 22-26. During this week and throughout the rest of the year, NCJRS invites you to view the Youth Violence Special Feature. The pages of this Special Feature contain publications and related resources on topics related to youth violence and the prevention of such violence. Please select a topic from the following list or from the box at the right under the heading "Youth Violence" to learn more:THINK