NCJ Number
169452
Journal
Compiler Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 4-5
Date Published
1997
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Reducing juvenile violence requires a multidisciplinary prevention and early-intervention effort that involves a variety of institutions.
Abstract
Research has shown that chronic violent offenders exhibit co-occurring problem behaviors and multiple risk factors, such as dropping out of school and gang membership. Another significant finding from a number of studies is that children who are neglected or abused, or who have witnessed violence in the home, are more likely to commit violent acts themselves later in life. Risk factors for violent behavior can thus be found in the family, schools, the community, and the individual and his/her peers. Protective factors that can mediate the impact of risk factors have also been identified. Recent research by the Rand Corporation provides evidence that prevention and early intervention efforts not only work, but they can be cost- effective. For less than $1 billion more per year, Rand reports, parent training and graduation incentives could roughly double the amount of crime reduction, a significant savings when compared to the cost of incarceration for violent offenders. In Illinois, more than 1.3 million cases of child abuse or neglect were reported to the Department of Children and Family Services between fiscal years 1983 and 1995. Further, an intolerably high number of children (more than 35,000) drop out of school in Illinois each year. Reducing juvenile violence requires the coordinated efforts of social service agencies, juvenile justice agencies, schools, and other institutions in both the public and private sectors.