NCJ Number
149545
Date Published
1993
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The Colorado interim Committee on Youth Violence presents results of its study on the causes, prevention, and solutions to juvenile violence and makes legislative recommendations.
Abstract
The report is based on the testimony of juvenile justice practitioners (judges, police officers, executive department officials, and academicians). Child abuse emerged as the chief cause of violent behavior; other factors included family, lack of norms, peer pressure, and drug abuse while the link between poverty and crime was less significant than previously assumed. The most effective means of preventing violence entails intervention at every stage of a child's development and involving the whole family in rehabilitative efforts. Solutions to violent behavior can only be found through an intensive and individualized collaboration of the community and juvenile justice agencies. The study recommends a reexamination and possible recodification the Colorado Children's Code, a quality assurance system which evaluates children's services, and the creation of a law-related education program which requires each school district to address crime-related issues: the dangers of gang membership and substance abuse as well as the importance of social responsibility and family values. Drafts of the proposed legislation are appended.