NCJ Number
143984
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1993) Pages: 9-18
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the findings and implications of a survey that determined the violent victimizations experienced by violent juvenile detainees.
Abstract
In the context of a Violence Awareness Month in the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Violence Experience Survey examined the individual incidents of violence experienced by detainees. Such incidents included violent experiences witnessed in their family and among their peers. There were 92 participants in the survey. Thirteen percent of the respondents reported sexual abuse; 34 percent reported being personally stabbed, and 60 percent reported being shot at. In subsequent group sessions with respondents, they described their reactions to violent experiences, including feelings of paranoia, anger, distrust, fear, more violent impulses, and general "uptight" feelings. When one youth described the perception that "you either kill or be killed," the group strongly agreed. The findings of this survey and its followup indicate that any program designed to prevent violent behavior by juveniles must address the violent victimization experiences of participants. 4 tables and 8 references