National Youth Violence Prevention Update: 2010-2016

• NCJ Number: 250083
• Date Published: July 2016
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-MU-MU-K021
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description

Annotation

This report on the nationwide effort to prevent youth violence describes program features and achievements for a number of cities throughout the Nation in their implementation of three initiatives funded by the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

Abstract

The three initiatives are the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention (Forum), Community-Based Violence Prevention (CBVP), and The Defending Childhood Initiative. Together, these three initiatives provide a comprehensive, balanced framework that promotes the healthy development and well-being of children and youth by eliminating violence and victimization of and by youth. The Forum consists of a network of 15 communities and Federal agencies that cooperate in sharing information and building local capacity to address youth violence. The Forum is supported by a Federal Coordinating Team that includes the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, Housing, Labor, and Health and Human Services in aligning resources and efforts. The CBVP focuses on stopping youth gang and gun violence in 16 cities through evidence-based deterrence and public health approaches. This initiative is characterized by partnerships among law enforcement, service providers, residents, and community-based organizations. The Defending Childhood initiative aims to prevent and more fully understand the impact of trauma stemming from children's exposure to violence, which is associated with long-term physical, mental, and emotional harm. In 2014, 9 out of 15 National Forum cities reported reductions in homicides and juvenile violent crime. Cities that implemented the CBVP initiative reported reduced gun violence and increased community engagement in addressing youth violence. The Defending Childhood initiative has supported 600 professional training events, 723 awareness events, and 538 publications and advertisements. 1 table