NCJ Number
182763
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This discussion of youth violence prevention notes that many promising strategies and programs are available to reduce juvenile violence; recommends policies based on the research reviewed in earlier chapters; and suggests priorities for clinical practice, policy, research, and education.
Abstract
Recommended practice priorities include the incorporation of what has been learned about juvenile violence causes; systematic assessments of aggression and violence in all high-risk and violent youths; development of effective treatment approaches for violent youths; and culturally relevant and gender-specific interventions for high-risk and violent youths. Policy priorities include a continuum of prevention, early intervention, and long-term treatment services for high-risk and violent youths; parent and community involvement in solutions to youth violence; policies to protect youths from exposure to violence; reduction of youth access to handguns and other weapons; and increased funding for school-based mental health and social work services. Research should focus on developmental processes related to the onset of violence, the likelihood of violent behavior among different ethnic groups and among females, and other topics. Educational priorities should include social work graduate concentrations or specialized fields of study in youth violence and university and community partnerships that target youth violence. Table and 22 references