What Can I Do About Youth Violence? 5 Things To Know
Youth violence is a serious problem.
It causes real damage to the participants and their family members. It’s also a serious problem in that youth violence is becoming troublingly widespread, especially in cities. It’s possible that you already know all too well how harmful youth violence can be in a community.
If so, you might be wondering what you can do to be a part of the solution.
The truth is, violence is a complicated subject with many factors at play. A person’s home life, the state of their mental health, their social environment, and more elements can all contribute to their likelihood to commit or be a victim of a violent act.
The good news is that there are real intervention strategies and prevention programs that are helping to prevent youth violence from happening. Today we’re going to outline some things to keep in mind when seeking to address violence in your home, school, or community.
Why Does Youth Violence Happen?
Adolescence is an intense time. Forget trouble at home or in school; growing up and being a teenager is almost always a complex and emotional time.
But why does youth violence seem to be increasing right now? Let’s take a look at some statistics from the University of Chicago. Content warning, these details may be considered triggering to some.
Among young African Americans aged 10–24, homicide is the leading cause of death. Among young Hispanic Americans, in the age group of 10–24, homicide is the second leading cause of death. Among young American Indians and Alaska Natives aged 10–24, homicide is the third leading cause of death.
12 victims of youth violence die from homicide every day.
Over 1,600 victims of youth violence are treated for their injuries every day.
These homicide rates and violent crime statistics are alarming. For many young people, especially those from minority and disadvantaged communities, violence is not an abstract idea. It is a daily threat.
Further research shows that African American young people living in dense and often underserved populations are at the highest risk of being exposed to violence and aggression than any other population in the United States.
Addressing Critical Needs
We are at a crisis point. This problem needs to be addressed and diminished before we lose many more lives. When you consider the number of people whose stories have been cut short by violence, whose families have been traumatized, and whose community has been witness to far too much pain, the feeling of loss can be overwhelming.
Try not to despair.
There are real, actionable steps to reducing violent and aggressive behavior that have been proven over time to do good. It’s essential to remember why we’re fighting, but it’s also important to remember that the human brain doesn’t really have the ability to comprehend suffering on this scale. Take a breath, and let’s talk about what we can do.
How Can You Help Address Youth Violence in Your Community?
It’s not uncommon to read about the extent of youth violence in our country and immediately feel a call to help address it.
As we mentioned, these issues are often more complicated than they appear. Keep these five things in mind when figuring out how you can make a difference.
#1: Start With a Conversation
We can’t understand a problem fully until we really get to know the people in the throes of the problem and their stories. That’s why so many prevention strategies and healing programs include mentoring and mental health services.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for someone is to listen to them and tell them that their experiences are valid. Often, victims of violence feel like they’re up against the world. Simple, honest, and authentic conversations are a way to start unpacking that feeling.
The National Public Health Strategy to Prevent Youth Violence is a CDC-led effort to address the health crisis of youth violence. This Center for Disease Control program advocates counseling and mentorship as a means of restoring a young person’s ability to resolve conflict, trust their resources, and advocate for themselves.
They believe that positive relationships between local adults and young people can help diminish some of the damage of violent behavior. They believe counseling can help by “promoting thriving, safer, and more connected communities.” They also advocate for vocational skill programs to help give young people purpose and perspective outside of the social order.
The point is that if you can lend an ear, talking to people is one of the best things you can do to start addressing violence in your community.
#2: Lead by Example
Safety starts with all of us. It starts in our homes and in our classrooms.
Sometimes a great place to start your own social impact initiative is right in front of you.
If you are a parent, talk to your kids about violence openly and authentically. Hear out their point of view and talk to them about strategies they can employ to avoid it and be an advocate for change. You may feel a desire to protect your kids from exposure pain, but pain is pretty much a guarantee when it comes to life.
Instead of shielding them, help them process their understanding of violence. By listening to them, you’re also giving them the skills to listen and help their peers.
If you are a young person, try having a conversation with your friends about what you’re seeing in school or the news. We know sometimes it can be awkward to get real, but peer-to-peer conversation can be a powerful tool.
If you know someone is struggling with violence, at home or in school, talk to them and provide an outlet for them to share their feelings.
#3: Be an Advocate for Victims
On that note, let’s talk about what happens when you know with certainty that someone is a victim of violence. First and foremost, it’s vital to share that information with someone who can help.
Many schools and community programs have designated advocates, social services, and counselors who can intervene and help the victim achieve, if not healing, then at least immediate safety.
Don’t look the other way.
Victims of violence need people to intervene and say this isn’t right. Often, when the violence is systemic and part of a pattern, victims can lack the strength or understanding to speak on their own behalf.
In that case, the responsibility falls on all of us.
Being a leader and going against the grain is not an easy step, we know. But for someone who is suffering, a strong friend and resource can make all the difference. Stay calm but stand defiant.
#4: Collaborate with Partners
When a problem is this large, it means that many people are working to solve it. It’s very likely that there is already an organization in or around your community that is enacting youth violence prevention programs and strategies to help address this violence.
You don’t need to take on the issue all on your own.
Community leaders and organizers are well-practiced in the complex issues surrounding violence against young people. They have connections within the government and the nonprofit world that can open up vital access to grants, resources, and education.
You may be frustrated by the state of the current situation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rely on the people who have been trying to address it. Failure is not a word we use in social movements. Remember that the road to a more equal and fair society is long and winding.
The important thing is that we work together and trust each other.
#5: Your Safety Matters
Last but perhaps most importantly, we want to emphasize that your safety is important. When using language like “stand up” and “do the right thing,” it can sometimes seem like the ultimate way to help would be to put yourself in harm's way.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
You can’t help address youth violence if you aren’t here. Make sure you have someone to talk to about your feelings, your experiences, and your frustrations. There’s plenty of work to be done that isn’t dangerous. Take care of yourself and take regular breaks. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Last Thoughts on the Prevention of Youth Violence
If nothing else, we hope this article helped you understand the size and scope of the problem around youth violence. It’s a serious issue that will require patience, resilience, and open-mindedness to help solve.
Community leaders and organizers are working on the ground to help teenagers and young adults process their feelings and understand why violence is not the answer. There is lots of work to be done, and many are needed to help pitch in.
Your desire to help be a part of the solution is a great instinct. Keep the lessons we talked about in mind, and don’t lose heart. If enough people believe they can help make the world a better place, we can start to build the future we’ve always dreamed of.
Sources:
About Youth & Community Violence | University of Chicago
Collaborative Efforts to Address Youth Violence | Youth.Gov