NCJ Number
60311
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 57 Issue: 8 Dated: (SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 505-510
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A YOUTH-TO-YOUTH PROJECT FOR AIDING MALTREATED JUVENILES IS DESCRIBED. ITS COMPONENTS ARE A YOUTH-STAFFED HOTLINE, A SELF-HELP GROUP, A TRAINING BUREAU, AND AN INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO REACH ABUSED CHILDREN.
Abstract
THE YOUTH-HELPING-YOUTH BUREAU TRAINS TEEN-AGE VOLUNTEERS TO BE PEER-HELPERS IN A VARIETY OF AGENCIES, INCLUDING A MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, A RUNAWAY HOUSE, AND A CRISIS LINE. DIRECT CONTACT OF THE YOUTH VOLUNTEERS WITH YOUTH CLIENTS IS EMPHASIZED. THIS YOUTH-TO-YOUTH INTERACTION IS PARTICULARLY VALUABLE WITH CLIENTS WHO ARE MISTRUSTFUL OF ADULTS. THE YOUTH SELF-HELP GROUP PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE SETTING WHERE VICTIMS CAN TALK ABOUT THEIR MALTREATMENT, A CONTEXT IN WHICH ADOLESCENTS CAN DISCUSS STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH THEIR SITUATIONS, AND A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO ENCOURAGE VICTIMS TO USE AVAILABLE INTERVENTION SERVICES. A PAMPHLET DISTRIBUTED COMMUNITYWIDE DEFINES MALTREATMENT, STATES THE GROUNDS FOR INITIATING ACTION AGAINST ABUSERS, AND SUGGESTS WAYS TO HELP, INCLUDING A LISTING OF AGENCIES THAT USE VOLUNTEERS FROM THE YOUTH-HELPING-YOUTH BUREAU. THE PROJECT SPONSORS AN ESSAY CONTEST FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THE THEMES, 'CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT: HOW YOUTH CAN HELP.' CASH PRIZES ARE AWARDED, AND THE WINNING ENTRIES ARE PUBLICIZED AND DISTRIBUTED. A 1-DAY WORKSHOP FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PRESENTS INFORMATION ON MALTREATMENT AND DISCUSSES PEER COUNSELING SKILLS AND MECHANISMS FOR ACTION. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)