A Development Approach to Working with Teen Victims (pdf)
This issue brief discusses the need for service providers to understand adolescent development in order to effectively provide interventions for teen victims of abuse.
Addressing the Intersection: Preventing Violence and Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living (pdf)
"This document provides an explanation of the inter-relationship between violence and healthy eating and activity. The findings and recommendations offered in this paper can support practitioners and advocates in their work to prevent chronic disease in communities heavily impacted by violence. "
Barriers and Promising Approaches to Workforce and Youth Development for Young Offenders (pdf)
"This toolkit was created to address three objectives: identify barriers to success in juvenile justice -- both for the system and for the young people in it; survey innovative state and local policy initiatives; and showcase exemplary employment and development programs for court-involved youth."
Best Practices To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model (pdf)
This Comprehensive Gang Model is the product of a national gang research and development program that OJJDP initiated in the mid-1980s. A national assessment of gang problems and programs provided the research foundation for the Model, and its key components mirror the best features of existing and evaluated programs across the country.
Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in Confinement (pdf)
"This bulletin provides the results of a survey on juvenile suicides occurring in confinement between 1995 and 1999. The study examined the demographic characteristics and social history of each victim, the characteristics of the incident, and the features of the juvenile facility in which the suicide took place. This OJJDP Bulletin provides suggestions for addressing the problem and recommendations for prevention planning."
Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey (pdf)
"This Bulletin discusses the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence that measured the past-year and lifetime exposure to violence for children age 17 and younger across several major categories: conventional crime, child maltreatment, victimization by peers and siblings, sexual victimization, witnessing and indirect victimization (including exposure to community violence and family violence), school violence and threats, and Internet victimization."
This article examines the co-occurrence of five subtypes of peer victimization and the effects of increased co-occurrences of victimization types on physical and psychological health.
Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007 (pdf)
"Using 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey data, the study found that persons with disabilities were victims of about 47,000 rapes. Rates of rape and sexual assault were more than twice those for people without disabilities. In addition, youth with a disability ages 12 to 19 experienced violence at nearly twice the rate as those without a disability."
This paper reports evaluation results for Teens Learning to Choose (TLC), an evidence-based prevention program for adolescent dating violence. Results indicated that, after TLC, youth were (1) less accepting of violence in relationships, (2) less willing to gender stereotype, and (3) more confident about being able to help a friend who was either a victim or a perpetrator of dating violence.
Delinquency Cases Waived to Criminal Court, 2005 (pdf)
"This fact sheet, based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report, presents statistics on petitioned delinquency cases waived to criminal court between 1985 and 2005."
Detention Reform: An Effective Approach to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice (pdf)
"By prioritizing the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities as a core detention reform strategy, Casey’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative has reduced the odds of detention typically faced by African-American and Latino teens. This Detention Reform Brief details JDAI’s efforts at reducing the over-representation of minorities in detention."
Domestic Violence and Birth Control Sabotage: A Report from the Teen Parent Project
This study explores to what extent pregnancy among low income teens was due to coerced and unprotected sexual relations, sabotage of birth control arrangements and the general pressure to choose between having children and the continuation of the relationship
Electronic Bullying Among Middle School Students (pdf)
"This study examined the prevalence of electronic bullying among middle school students. The most common methods for electronic bullying (as reported by both victims and perpetrators) involved the use of instant messaging, chat rooms, and e-mail. As children’s use of electronic communications technologies is unlikely to wane in coming years, continued attention to electronic bullying is critical. Implications of these findings for youth, parents, and educators are discussed."
Electronic Media and Youth Violence: A CDC Issue Brief for Educators and Caregivers (pdf)
"The brief summarizes what is known about young people and electronic aggression, provides strategies for addressing the issue with young people, and discusses the implications for school staff, education policy makers, and parents and caregivers. "
Electronic Media, Violence, and Adolescents: An Emerging Public Health Problem (pdf)
"Attention is growing about the risk of adolescents to become victims of aggression perpetrated by peers with new technology. In September 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a panel of experts in technology and youth aggression to examine this specific risk. This article presents the data and recommendations for future directions discussed at the meeting. The data supports the argument that electronic aggression is an emerging public health problem in need of additional research to support the development and evaluation of effective prevention programs."
Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies
"A Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States. The scope of the Task Force's inquiry was to consider those technologies that industry and end users - including parents - can use to help keep minors safer on the Internet."
Helping Traumatized Children at School
A paper that discusses school interventions for traumatized children. It provides some of the guidelines and resources for use when youth's traumas affect their ability to function at school.
Homeless Youth and Sexual Exploitation: Research Findings and Practice Implications
"This issue brief reviews research regarding the involvement of unaccompanied, homeless youth in various types of sexual exploitation including survival sex and recruitment into the commercial sex industry and recommends a series of programmatic responses to meet their needs."
Human Rights Watch World Report 2010 (pdf)
"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."
Interpersonal and Physical Dating Violence among Teens (pdf)
This Focus Report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency finds that girls exposed to interpersonal violence are more likely to be exposed to other forms of violence, show a greater propensity for unsafe sexual activity, and a higher incidence of substance abuse and suicide than either boys or non-abused girls. The report also offers recommendations for primary prevention programs.
Juvenile Arrests 2007 (pdf)
"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2007 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2007."
Juvenile Arrests 2008 (pdf)
"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2008 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2008."
Juvenile Delinquency Probation Caseload, 2005 (pdf)
A fact sheet based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report. Presents statistics on delinquency cases resulting in probation in 2005.
"This study tested the effectiveness of two court-based intervention programs in California that addressed juvenile domestic and family violence. Primary findings from the study indicated recidivism rates for offenders with prior records were remarkably consistent across sites, the specialized intervention programs in both Santa Clara and San Francisco counties had a deterrent effect on first-time offenders, and the greatest determinant of the probability of recidivism was background characteristics of the offender."
Juvenile Residential Facility Census, 2004: Selected Findings (pdf)
"A biannual census, developed to support the vital role of corrections in maintaining the safety of the community and providing essential services to confined youth. Facilities report on characteristics such as their size, structure, type, ownership, and security arrangements. Facilities also provide information on a range of services they provide to youth in their care. In addition, facilities report on the number of deaths of youth in custody during the prior 12 months."
Juvenile Suicide in Confinement: A National Survey (pdf)
"This report provides the results of a survey on juvenile suicides occurring in confinement between 1995 and 1999. The study examined the demographic characteristics and social history of each victim, the characteristics of the incident, and the features of the juvenile facility in which the suicide took place. The report provides suggestions for addressing the problem and recommendations for prevention planning."
Juvenile Transfer Laws: An Effective Deterrent to Delinquency? (pdf)
"Provides an overview of research on the deterrent effects of transferring youth from juvenile to criminal courts, focusing on large-scale comprehensive OJJDP-funded studies on the effect of transfer laws on recidivism. The Bulletin reviews all of the extant research on the general and specific deterrent effects of transferring juveniles to adult criminal court."
Juveniles Who Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors (pdf)
"This bulletin presents population-based epidemiological information about the characteristics of juvenile offenders who commit sex offenses against minors. The authors analyzed data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and provided topical statistics highlighting the fact that juveniles account for more than one-third (35.6 percent) of this type of offender. Findings may support the development of research-based interventions and policies to reduce sexual assault and child molestation as perpetrated by juvenile offenders."
This resource provides researchers, specialists, and educators with tools to measure a range of bullying experiences: bully perpetration, bully victimization, bully-victim experiences, and bystander experiences. An example of a provided tool is the "Perception of Teasing Scale" (POTS).
This compendium provides a set of tools to assess violence-related beliefs, behaviors, and influences, as well as to evaluate programs to prevent youth violence. More than 170 measures are included. Some examples of measures include: "Violent Intentions—Teen Conflict Survey", "Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey", and "Drug and Alcohol Use—Youth Risk Behavior Survey"
Moving From Them to Us: Challenges in Reframing Violence Among Youth (pdf)
"This paper explores how youth and violence have been framed in the media, how the issue of race complicates depictions of youth and violence, and how public attitudes about government can inhibit public support for strategies to effectively prevent violence. This paper makes recommendations for the next steps in re-framing violence among youth."
NCJRS Youth Violence Special Feature
This Special Feature contains publications and resources on topics related to youth violence and the prevention of such violence. Topics include: Statistics, Gun Violence and Prevention, Youth Violence Prevention, Youth Violence Research, School Violence Prevalence and Prevention, and Youth Gangs.
No Place for Kids:The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration (pdf)
This report details flaws in the United States heavy reliance on juvenile correctional institutions. After detailing how these institutions are ineffective and dangerous for our nations youth, the report concludes with recommendations for states on how to reduce juvenile incarceration and redesign their juvenile corrections systems.
On the Road to Equality: Statewide Findings & Policy Recommendations (pdf)
"A supplement to the Status of Girls in Minnesota report by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota in partnership with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Focus groups were conducted in 18 Minnesota communities that included African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), and disabilities communities — to share key research findings and gain community input. This report captures the voices and policy recommendations of these communities, nonprofit and public leaders."
Person Offense Cases in Juvenile Court, 2005 (pdf)
This fact sheet, based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report, provides statistics on person offense cases processed by juvenile courts in that year.
Police diversion of young offenders and Indigenous over-representation (pdf)
"Indigenous over-representation in the justice system is a challenge facing Australian society. This study focused on the extent of Indigenous over-representation, evidence of disparity in how Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people were processed and the impact of diversion on re-contact with the juvenile system."
Prevalence and Predictors of Internet Bullying (pdf)
"The purpose of the present study was to contrast the prevalence of Internet bullying with physical and verbal bullying among elementary, middle, and high school boys and girls, and to examine whether key predictors of physical and verbal bullying also predicted Internet bullying."
Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence
This special collection emphasizes collaborative and multilevel approaches to the prevention of, and response to, teen dating violence. It draws on the work of many organizations and organizes the resources on TDV prevention and responses by different populations.
Preventing violence and reducing its impact: How development agencies can help (pdf)
This document makes the case for increased attention on the impact of violence on development by international development agencies. A key aim is to stimulate dialogue on the role of international development agencies in the prevention of violence globally, and ultimately to increase investment in a commonly agreed set of applied violence prevention strategies. The primary audience for this document is policy-makers, high-level planners, and others in the international development field.
Prevention and Intervention of Teen Dating Violence
Information on 2 intervention strategies, one at the School Level and one Family-Based, that proved effective in reducing the incidence of teen dating violence.
Psychological Abuse: A Discussion Paper (pdf)
"This paper is a review of research on psychological abuse in interpersonal and family relationships including in settings such as long-term care residences.The paper presents research findings on the personal, economic and health related costs of psychological abuse to the individual and to society, and briefly outlines legal recourses for victims. It concludes by exploring ways to recognize and address psychological abuse, while emphasizing the importance of developing holistic approaches "
Resilient Girls—Factors That Protect Against Delinquency (pdf)
The Girls Study Group Series examines issues such as patterns of offending among adolescents and how they differ for girls and boys; risk and protective factors associated with delinquency, including gender differences; and the causes and correlates of girls’ delinquency.
This article assesses the relationship between bullying peers as a child and adult intimate partner violence perpetration in a clinic-based sample of adult men. School bullying perpetration and intimate partner violence perpetration are both thought to stem from desire for power and control over others.
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth (pdf)
"This longitudinal study found that family, school, and individual factors such as school connectedness, parent-family connectedness, high parental expectations for academic achievement, and the adolescent’s level of involvement in religious activities and perceived importance of religion and prayer were protective against a range of adverse behaviors. School connectedness was found to be the strongest protective factor for both boys and girls to decrease substance use, school absenteeism, early sexual initiation, violence, and risk of unintentional injury."
Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09 (pdf)
"The report provides national-level and facility-level estimates of sexual victimization by type of activity, including youth-on-youth sexual contact, staff sexual misconduct, and level of coercion. It also includes an analysis of the experience of sexual victimization, characteristics of youth most at risk to victimization, where the incidents occur, time of day, characteristics of perpetrators, and nature of the injuries."
The purpose of this two‐year experiment was to provide high-quality scientific evidence concerning the effectiveness of targeting a young, universal primary prevention audience with classroom‐based curricula and school‐level interventions addressing dating violence and sexual harassment. Overall, the intervention was shown to affect student knowledge and behavioral intentions in a positive manner and as hypothesized (with some exceptions) was effective in reducing dating/peer violence (especially sexual violence) and sexual harassment.
This summary reports on the preliminary finding of an evaluation of a teen dating violence prevention program called "Start Strong". Teen dating violence behaviors and associated risk factors have been found to be prevalent among middle school students in this study. At the same time, the study highlights protective factors that can be strengthened to reinforce positive norms and promote healthy relationships. Visit The Start Strong website for more information.
Status of Girls in Illinois (pdf)
This report addresses a wide spectrum of areas affecting Illinois girls’ lives, including sexuality, violence, incarceration, substance abuse, health, education and physical fitness.
Full report is linked. Executive summary can be found at http://www.steansfamilyfoundation.org/pdf/SOG_Executive_Summar.pdf
"This 2008 report provides detailed information on the status of girls in Minnesota. It also serves as a tool for advocates, researchers, and policy makers in developing a set of interventions that will ensure girls’ economic, social, and political equality in the state. "
"This report presents national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and births among males and females 15-19 years of age in the United States in 2006-2008 from the National Survey of Family Growth."
Telling It Like It Is: Teen Perspectives on Romantic Relationships (pdf)
This brief summarizes findings from focus groups that explored what teens have to say about romantic relationships. In general, the teens displayed an understanding of what a healthy teen relationship should look like, yet at the same time they expressed low expectations about their chances of experiencing that type of relationship themselves. Findings indicate that factors such as relationship violence and few adult role models who displayed healthy relationships contributed to these low expectations.
The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities (pdf)
"This policy brief reviews the existing literature on the efficacy of detention and looks at the consequences of detention on young people, their families, and communities."
The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence (pdf)
This document examines the economic effects of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, as well as the economic effects of interventions seeking to reduce violence and the ways in which economic factors such as poverty and income inequality contribute to violence.
The Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Youth (pdf)
"This publication reviews general population studies, disaster research, child maltreatment studies, and special population studies that report the prevalence of PTSD in children, adolescents, and young adults. It includes a brief discussion of the cumulative adverse effects of traumatic stress experienced from infancy through adolescence."
The Facts On Teen Dating Violence (pdf)
A fact sheet created by Futures Without Violence on the prevalence and consequences of teen dating violence.
The Girls Study Group - Charting the Way to Delinquency Prevention for Girls (pdf)
"The Girls Study Group, convened by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), conducted a study to determine the cause of delinquency and increased arrests among female adolescents, factors that influence delinquency, and effective programs in preventing girls’ delinquency."
The Impact of Electronic Media Violence: Scientific Theory and Research (pdf)
"Research evidence suggests that exposure to violence through various forms of media increases the risk of violent behavior on the viewer’s part, just as growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of them behaving violently. In this article, this research evidence is critically assessed and the psychological theory that explains why exposure to violence has detrimental effects for both the short and long-term is elaborated. Finally the size of the “media violence effect” is compared with some other well-known threats to society to estimate how important a threat it should be considered."
The Long-Term Health Consequences of Bullying Victimization (pdf)
This research brief provides a summary of results from a recent study designed to examine the relationship between bullying and physical and mental health, health care utilization, and health risk behaviors.
The Unclaimed Children Revisited, California Case Study (pdf)
"The purpose of the California Case Study is to identify, document, and analyze effective fiscal, infrastructural, and related policies that support research-informed practices for mental health services to children and adolescents in California."
Trauma among Girls in the Juvenile Justice System (pdf)
"This review suggests that trauma-sensitive and gender-specific programming and treatment models are needed in order to address needs and prevent re-traumatization of girls in the juvenile justice system. Specifically, the treatment models should provide girls with developmentally reparative experiences that address not only PTSD but also issues of identity, trust, safety, body image, physical self care, affect regulation, peer group selection and engagement, and sexuality."
Trauma-Focused Interventions for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System (pdf)
"Numerous studies document that many of the youth in the juvenile justice system have been exposed to myriad traumatic events, either as victims or as witnesses. Because of this exposure, many of these youths have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders. This document reviews trauma-focused, family-based, and group-based interventions that show promise for use with youth in the juvenile justice system."
UN study on Violence Against Children
"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "
Increasing emphasis has been placed on the importance of evidence-informed prevention strategies and evidence-based decision making. In this guidance document, the authors aim to explain the purpose and meaning of the Continuum of Evidence of Effectiveness, a tool that was developed to facilitate a common understanding of what the Best Available Research Evidence means in the field of violence prevention. This Continuum also serves to provide common language for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in discussing evidence-based decision making.
Understanding School Violence Fact Sheet 2012 (pdf)
An updated fact sheet compiled by the CDC explaining what school violence is, risk factors, health effects, prevention strategies, and much more.
Victimization and Juvenile Offending (pdf)
In this article the authors present statistics on adolescent victimization, its effects, and the connection trauma has with development of aggressive behaviors. The authors conclude with recommendations in reducing the cycle of victimization and subsequent violence.
Violence by Teenage Girls: Trends and Context (pdf)
"This OJJDP Bulletin assesses trends of juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes, focusing on simple and aggravated assault. Part of the Girls Study Group series, this bulletin examines the involvement of girls in violent activity (including whether such activity has increased relative to the increase for boys) and the contexts in which girls engage in violent behavior. "
Violence in the Lives of Children (pdf)
"This data brief from Child Trends reviews data on the types of violence experienced by U.S. children, including exposure to violence through media to abuse by parents and peers. Differences by age, gender, and race/ethnicity are discussed along with priorities for filling gaps in the data that is available on this topic."
Visibility Through Data: Health Information for Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Communities (pdf)
"This report summarizes information for providers working toward improving the health and well-being of urban American Indian and Alaska Native communities and is a resource that highlights specific health issues facing this population. "
Women and Health: Today’s Evidence, Tomorrow’s Agenda (pdf)
"This report reviews evidence on the health issues that particularly affect girls and women throughout their life course. This report uses currently available data to draw attention to the consequences and costs of failing to address health issues at appropriate points in their lives."
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003 (pdf)
"This report includes findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, with data on the health risk activities of students grade 9-12."
"This report examines the youth perspective on violence, life circumstance, and the response of the justice system to a supposed growth of violence among troubled youth. The report was also part of testimony before the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on February 11, 2009."
A fact sheet on youth violence compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detailing risk factors, consequences, occurrence, and much more.
This report addresses what we already know about the etiology of youth violence but challenges that a changing social landscape requires a forward looking research agenda. In the six sections of the report, the authors focus on key areas for future research. This is followed by research summaries from subcommittee members.