Wednesday, March 21, 2012

National Youth Violence Prevention Week

This week we commemorate National Youth Violence Prevention Week and recognize that youth violence has become a significant social and public safety issue in our country today. Too often we hear of tragic stories involving teenagers committing violent crimes. As police reports become filled with more incidents involving teenagers, it is time we realize that more must be done to protect our young people and our communities.

According to The Centers for Disease Control, in 2007, nearly 6,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered—an average of 16 each day. These staggering numbers may seem high; however, statistics show that over half of youth violence that occurs in our country is not reported. This only adds more severity to these shocking numbers.

These crimes have a direct impact on the public and the economy as they cause mental and physical damage. There are long-term effects created by these crimes as the patterns of violence begin early and often continue into adulthood. These facts surely describe the need for prevention programs and policies that address risk and protective factors for youth violence.

Learn more about National Youth
Violence Prevention Week
Because of the gravity of this offense, the National Youth Violence Prevention Week is dedicated to center our attention on youth violence and prevention techniques. The goal of this campaign is to offer a week-long national education initiative to demonstrate the positive role young people can have in making their schools and communities safer.

CalVCP has joined the campaign to spread public awareness of the violence affecting our youth. As an agency dedicated to assisting victims of crime, we would like you to know that victims of any violent crime are able to receive assistance through our program. Our claimants receive compensation that covers mental health treatment, income and support loss, medical bills, funeral costs, and rehabilitation.

Raising awareness and advocating for prevention of youth violence is a concern for all of us. Please join us and the many state agencies and victim advocates in the campaign to educate our community on effective ways to prevent youth violence.