| A single approach to preventing youth violence is not | | | | our activities. Additionally, there are many skill building |
| sufficient. A youth is affected many things in his/her | | | | programs that can be used after and during school to |
| environment and prevention must address those | | | | teach skills and values and respect for others. |
| multiple factors. | | | | Trauma Therapy. Many youth who are at risk for |
| Reducing Exposure to Violence. As a society, we are | | | | violent behaviors have been traumatized at some time |
| much better at protecting partners from a violent | | | | in their lives. They repeat the trauma they have |
| significant other today than 30 years ago. | | | | experienced, sometimes violently, until they resolve it |
| We must now move ahead and protect children from | | | | emotionally and cognitively. This can be done more |
| the devastating effects of exposure to domestic | | | | effectively in therapy without the risk that a youth will |
| violence (DV). DV traumatizes young people and | | | | act out his aggression on others. |
| sends them the wrong message about how to | | | | Family Supports. Most parents want to be good |
| engage in interpersonal relationships. Every DV case | | | | parents. However, some lack skills and strengths they |
| that comes to the Courts should have a caseworker | | | | need to be effective parents. Some are willing to learn |
| assigned to assess the well-being of the children in the | | | | new skills, give up addictions, get treatment for a |
| family. | | | | mental illness, get treatment for anger management or |
| Excessive use of violent games and movies | | | | domestic violence, go to parenting classes, or enter |
| desensitizes our most vulnerable youth to the horror of | | | | family therapy for the sake of their children. When |
| violence, making it easier to commit violence. We | | | | parents are willing to do these things, we must provide |
| should limit youth exposure to violent media just a | | | | the supports necessary for them to be successful. |
| surely as we limit their access to alcohol and tobacco. | | | | Reduce Bullying. Schools need to have a zero |
| Community efforts to reduce neighborhood violence, | | | | tolerance for bullying. They should to be teaching |
| such as neighborhood watch, can be very effective, | | | | respect instead of accepting bullying as a normal thing |
| as well. | | | | kids do. There are anti-bullying programs that can be |
| School Success. We all need to experience success. | | | | used school-wide. Programs like Olweus, "Character |
| A youth's main job is school and he needs to feel | | | | Counts," and "Don't Laugh at Me" have materials that |
| successful there. Programs such as Positive | | | | can be used throughout a school to build an |
| Behavioral Incentive System (PBIS), school based | | | | atmosphere of respect for others. |
| mental health, involvement in positive school activities, | | | | Put Your Best Foot Forward. In order to be successful, |
| IEP's, and additional services for learning problems | | | | youth need to feel competent and confident. They |
| have proven that they can improve many children and | | | | need to hear praise for what they do well every day. |
| teens feelings of accomplishment in school, thus | | | | What you pay attention to, will increase. Catch them |
| reducing the likelihood that school frustration can | | | | being good and praise them to the rooftops. Show the |
| contribute to future acts of violence by students. | | | | goal, the way to go, and praise every step in the right |
| Skill Building. Many "at risk" youth need help to build the | | | | direction. Youth can change their behavior, but they |
| coping skills they need to resist the "pull" of gangs and | | | | need encouragement to do so. |
| engage in healthy activities. (When is the last time you | | | | These are just a few ideas. There are many more. |
| engaged in healthy exercise or eating without | | | | Think about what made you feel good about yourself |
| encouragement?) Youth need mentors that will help | | | | as a child. These are the experiences that all youth |
| them with problem solving, anger management and | | | | need, especially "at risk/promise" young people. Each |
| dealing with the neighborhood bully. Many of us can | | | | of us can play a part. It takes a community to stop |
| take 5 or 6 hours out of our week to include a youth in | | | | violence. |