National Conversation on Values to Address Youth Violence

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced a national conversation on values to address youth violence, calling for a sustained effort to combat violence and make American streets safe for everyone. The announcement followed meetings with city officials, community leaders, students, and parents, and comes in the wake of the fatal beating of a Chicago high school student.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Department of Justice released a study on children's exposure to violence, showing that over 60% of children surveyed were exposed to violence in the past year, either directly or indirectly.
  • Nearly half of children and adolescents were assaulted at least once, and more than one in 10 were injured as a result.
  • The study found that nearly one-quarter of children were victims of robbery, vandalism, or theft, and one in 16 were victimized sexually.
  • The Department of Education is working with Chicago Public Schools to award a $500,000 grant to help Fenger High School and elementary and middle schools that feed into Fenger HS.
  • The grant will be used to facilitate safe passage for students to and from school, offer training to enable teachers to better manage their classrooms, and collaborate with community organizations to expand and increase student-centered support programs.
  • The study's findings are unacceptable and perpetuate a cycle of violence, according to Holder, who emphasized the need for a sustained effort to combat violence and restore learning environments in school districts.
  • Project SERV - School Emergency Response to Violence - is a grant program designed to help restore learning environments in school districts impacted by significant traumatic events.
  • The program has provided grants to school districts in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York in 2009, and will be used to provide additional support to Fenger High School and surrounding schools.

Statistics:

  • 60% of children surveyed were exposed to violence in the past year, either directly or indirectly.
  • 45.7% of children and adolescents were assaulted at least once.
  • 13.5% of children and adolescents were injured as a result of violence.
  • 25.1% of children were victims of robbery, vandalism, or theft.
  • 6.3% of children were victimized sexually.
  • $500,000 grant awarded to Chicago Public Schools to help Fenger High School and surrounding schools.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Department of Justice to Release Study on Children's Exposure to Violence; U.S. Department of Education to Provide $500,000 Grant to Help Fenger Community" (PR Newswire, October 7, 2009).
  • Contact information for U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs: +1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888, WWW.JUSTICE.GOV.