APRIL 2008
"Youth Violence Prevention Week 2008." March 31- April 4, 2008. The goal of this
campaign is to raise awareness and to educate students, teachers, school
administrators, counselors, school resource officers, school staff, parents, and
the public on effective ways to prevent or reduce youth Violence.
This weeklong national education initiative will involve activities that
demonstrate the positive role young people can have in making their school and community
safer.
- 2008
CHALLENGES
Each day of the week will highlight a specific challenge to prevent youth
Violence and will be sponsored by a national premier youth-serving
organization. The challenges highlighted for 2008 include:
Day 1: Promote Respect and Tolerance
Day 2: Manage Your Anger
Day 3: Resolve Conflicts Peacefully
Day 4: Support Safety
Day 5: Unite in Action
Over the last several years, youth violence has become a growing
public health concern for communities across the nation. Each year, almost one
million young people ages 10 to 24 require medical treatment for injuries caused by violence.
Youth violence and victimization affects every community in the nation.
Whether it is bullying, gang activity, date rape and sexual assault or youth
crime and juvenile delinquency, our youngest and most vulnerable citizens are
affected.
Consider these statistics:
- Teens experience the highest rate of violent crime.
They are 2.5 times more likely to be the victim of violence than adults.
Source: Snyder, Howard N., and Sickmund, Melissa. Juvenile Offenders and Victims:
2006 National Report. (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of
Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, 2006).
- Thirty percent of sixth to 10th graders in the United
States either have bullied another youth, been the target of bullying or
both.
Source: Nansel TR, et. Al. “Bullying Behaviors Among US Youth: Prevalence
and Association with Psychosocial Adjustment.” Journal of the American Medical Association,
2001; 285(16): 2094(100).
- One in 11 young people reports being a victim of
physical dating abuse.
Source: Centers for Disease Control, Physical
Dating Violence Among High School Students (United States,
2003).
- Youth are at the highest risk of being a victim of
crime or committing a crime between the after-school hours of 3-8 p.m.
Source: Snyder, Howard N., and Sickmund, Melissa. Juvenile Offenders and
Victims: 2006 National Report. (Washington, DC: U.S.
Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2006).
- Studies show that one in four girls and one in six boys
are sexually abused before the age of 18. Additionally, one in five
children who go online is sexually exploited.
Source: “Confronting child sexual abuse with courage.” Darkness to Light, About Child Abuse section, accessed on March 12, 2008.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Youth who are victimized are at
higher risk to become victimizers, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home,
turn to teen prostitution, suffer from depression and eating disorders and
attempt suicide.
Causes of Youth Violence
According to the American
Psychological Association’s Practice Directorate, there is no single cause
for youth violence, but contributing factors include:
- Peer pressure
- Need for attention or respect
- Feelings of low self-worth
- Early childhood abuse or neglect
- Witnessing violence in the home, community or in the
media
- Easy access to weapons
For ideas and resources, go to www.violencepreventionweek.org.
| Crime Victim's Rights Week
April 12 - April 18th, 2008
Look for local events in your area and please try to find the time to support their efforts to: "Band Together for Victims"
A few events in St Louis Include:
1. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes - April 12
- Who the Walk Benefits:
-
- ALIVE (Alternatives to Living in Violent
Environments) provides support services &
short-term emergency sanctuary to adults &
children victimized by domestic violence.
RAVEN (Rape and Violence Ends Now) is
recognized nationally as a founding agency in
the movement to end violence against women.
RAVEN has three core programs: Domestic
Violence Intervention with men, Community
Education and Youth Violence Prevention.
works to significantly reduce the incidence of
family violence in St. Louis through discussion,
education, advocacy, intervention, systemic
change & coordination of community resources.
- YWCA ST. LOUIS REGIONAL SEXUAL
ASSAULT CENTER provides support and
advocacy to victims of sexual assault & abuse
within the St. Louis region, helps coordinate
services provided to victims & serves as a community
resource on issues related to awareness
and prevention of sexual assault & abuse.
2. Banding Together for Victims - April 13
3. Whispers and Roars - April 14
| APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH:
Designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), April brings an
annual opportunity to focus awareness on sexual violence and its
prevention. It is also an opportunity to highlight the efforts of
individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and
prevention services while offering support to sexual assault survivors,
victims and their families. SAAM raises awareness of sexual violence
and its prevention through special events while highlighting sexual
violence as a major public health issue and reinforces the need for
prevention efforts. TO CELEBRATE AND HELP YOURSELF AND OTHER WOMEN IN YOUR COMMUNITY - SCHEDULE YOUR RAD CLASS TODAY!! TO SIGN UP CLICK HERE
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