The document discusses violence among children and juveniles. It finds that between 1983-1993, cases of violent offenses and weapons violations in juvenile courts increased substantially. Specifically, cases against persons committed by youth rose 100% and violent crime index offenses and weapons law violations increased 98% and 156% respectively. More recently, arrest rates for violent crimes have continued rising faster for youth under age 15 than older youth. Reasons proposed for the increases in youth violence include more violence in society overall, more negative influences in children's lives, and a lack of support from social institutions like family and schools.

1. By Dr. Paul A. Rodríguez

2. Violence in Children under Age Eighteen
During the period of 1983-1993, juvenile courts experienced
disproportionate increases in cases involving violent offenses and
weapons.
Cases against persons committed by youth were up almost 100%
Violent Crime Index were up 98%
Weapons law violations were up 156%
This increase was seen as a weakening of traditional socializing institutions
of the community—the family, schools and churches.
Schools have seen an increase in dealing with problems of misbehavior in
the classroom.
There is an increase of drug trafficking in the mid-1980s.
More, juveniles have been recruited, they were armed with guns.
An overall upward trend occurred during the past 30 years.
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3. Specific Violence Data for Children Age Twelve and Under
FBI—Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the National Juvenile Court Data
Archive, show that the 1995 arrest rate for “Violent Crime Index offenses”
was 89 per100,000 for juveniles age 12 and under.
For youth ages 13-14, the arrest rate was 460 per 100,000, and for older
youth, it was an astonishing 979 per 100,000.
Between 1985 and 1994, the number of delinquency cases involving
juveniles age 12 or younger grew 32%
Violent Juvenile Crime Continues to Increase
FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the National Juvenile Court
Data Archive reported in 1997 that:
Offenders under age 15 represent the leading edge of the juvenile crime
problem
Violent crime arrest for grew 94% between 1980 and 1995 for youth
under age 15, compared with 47% for older youth.
There needs to be a focus on early and effective interventions with these
youngest delinquents
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4. Reasons for violence among children
1. More violence in society. Children are exposed and become
desensitized.
2. An increase of violent and seriously disturbed children who are being
mainstreamed through traditional classrooms.
3. Lack of untrained teachers to work with children who have special
social, emotional and educational needs.
4. More negative influences in a child’s life than ever.
5. More gang activity, child abuse, family violence, child neglect and
violent neighborhoods that offer few positive role models for children.
Youth Victimization
Considered a public health concern:
Intentional violence accounts for 1/3 of all injury deaths in the U. S.
Intentional interpersonal violence disproportionately involves young
people as both perpetrators and victims.
Homicide has become the leading cause of death among African American
males and females between the ages of 15 and 24 for more than 10 years.
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5. Between 1984 1993, gun-related deaths of young African Americans has
tripled.
The overall level of violence in the general society have risen sharply.
Violence in schools derives mainly from factors external to schools.
Student assaults on other students
Weapon carrying by students in schools has become a growing source of
violence and threat of violence.
1999 report, ¼ of students nationwide had carried a weapon to school
during the month preceding the survey.
Violent incidents and threats of violence at school negatively affect
students, staff and the educational process.
A tremendous increase for personal health and economic costs to society
from the devastation of violence in our society.
Public health officials emphasize primary prevention, that identifies
behavioral or environmental risk factors associated with disease and takes
steps to educate the community about, or protect it from, these risks.
A public health model can help reduce the extent of injuries and deaths
attributed to violence. 5

6. Male versus Female Violence Rates
In 1997, 23% of the delinquency cases were processed, compared to 19%
in 1988.
Between 1988 and 1997, the number of delinquency cases involving
females under age 16 increased 89%.
1.2 million delinquency cases in 1994 involving males, as compared with
324,600 cases involving females.
Between 1985 and 1994, the delinquency case rate for males increased
by 30%.
Among females, it grew by 46%.
Studies of self-reported delinquency find gender ratios ranging from
approximately 1.1 to 5.3, depending on the specific aggressive, assaultive
offense measured.
Ratio show that although there is a substantial gender gap, girls do
engage in a significant amount of violent delinquency.
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7. Conclusion
Violent crime rates for all juveniles appear to be going up.
Violence rates among children age 12 and under are still rising.
Early starters of violence are the children most likely to cycle on to
violence in adolescence and young adulthood.
Reflection and thoughts
1. What are your thoughts on the belief that a small group of young
children under the age of 10 is more dangerous than a large group of
children and young adults ages 12 to 14? Why?
2. In order for us to understand, how do you reason your response?
3. What are your thoughts on the increase in female crimes?
4. What steps can be taken for prevention?
5. How does economy and family-life contribute to these increases of
crime?
6. What are some methods being used for decreasing crime among our
youth?
7. How do schools educate their students, staff and community about
methods to prevent violent crimes?
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