Talking To Teens About Violence

What Are The Details?

In the US:

• By age 12, the average child is estimated to have witnessed 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence on network television.
• Nationally, homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-yearolds. In this age group, homicide is the leading cause of death for African Americans.
• Guns are a factor in most youth homicides. In 1999, 81% of homicide victims 15 to 24 years old were killed with firearms.
• Violent deaths at school represent less than 1 percent of all homicides and suicides that occur among school-aged children.
• 1-in-8 female high school students reports being raped.

In Washington:

• Homicide is the third leading cause of death among youth 10 to 19 years old.
• Male teens 15 to 19 years old are 2 times more likely to die from homicide than females in the same age group.
• According to the 2002 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, nearly 10% of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in Washington said they carried a weapon to school in the past month.
• 1-in-5 8th graders and 1-in-8 10th graders reported that they had been in a physical fight on school property at least once in the past year.
• Younger students are more likely to report being bullied in the past month than older students. For instance, about 30% of 6th graders report being bullied compared to about 15% of 12th graders.
• Nearly 1-in-10 adolescents say they had been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.

What Can I Do?

Here are some tips adapted from “Lessons from the Experts:”

• Help teens gain skills in self-control, decisionmaking, problem solving, listening and communication.
• Encourage and promote cultural identity and acceptance of diversity.
• Promote a positive school climate that does not tolerate violence and aggression.
• Pay attention to school bullying. Talk about how to recognize controlling behaviors.
• Negotiate disagreements so that conflicts do not grow larger.
•  Be available to listen and discuss needs, concerns and desires.
• Pay attention to what a teen is doing. Ask questions about their relationships in a caring way. Watch for signs of dating violence and mental abuse, such as injuries, control of activities, and isolation from friends or family.
• Let teens know they do not deserve to be treated with violence. Be prepared to intervene by getting assistance.
• Talk about and foster skills on how to respond and be safe when violence occurs.