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Anxiety, Junior High School Students, Junior High Schools, Sex Differences, Victimization, and Violence

This study examined anxiety as a mediator on the relation between exposure to violence and victimization mediated by gender. The sample consisted of 1,311 seventh graders attending 8 middle schools in a small southern city. Gender was found to be a significant moderator for the relation of exposure to violence and victimization; therefore, subsequent analyses were conducted separately for males and females. Differences were noted on measures of anxiety, exposure to violence, and victimization, with males reporting more exposure to violence and victimization, but less anxiety for females. For both males and females, anxiety was found to be a partial mediator for the relation of exposure to violence and victimization. Implications of these findings are discussed. (Contains 5 tables and 47 references.) (Author/SLD)

Bullying, Educational Environment, High School Students, High Schools, School Safety, Sex Differences, Student Attitudes, Teacher Responsibility, Verbal Abuse, Victimization, Violence, Nebraska, and Texas

This study examined the incidences of bullying behaviors among male and female 9th and 10th graders in rural Nebraska and suburban Texas schools. Nebraska students were predominantly Caucasion, and Texas students were African American, Hispanic American, and Caucasion. Student surveys examined such issues as how often bullying occurred, where it occurred, what it was like, who students told, and how concerned students believed their teachers and administrators were about bullying. Results indicated that bullying was a very real part of students' lives. More than 80 percent of students observed some type of bullying at least some time in their school. Nearly one-third of girls and 20 percent of boys observed bullying often. Most of the bullying involved hurtful teasing and painful name calling. When boys were bullied, there was more physical violence. Both sexes reported being threatened with harm more than 26 percent of the time when bullied. Bullying was most likely to happen during class, lunch, and extracurricular events. Students occasionally told someone about it, generally a family member or friend. Students did not tell school faculty about the bullying and did not perceive that school faculty were interested in trying to stop bullying. (Contains 43 references.) (SM)

At Risk Persons, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Community Action, Delinquency, Elementary Secondary Education, Family Influence, Federal Programs, Juvenile Justice, Prevention, Victimization, and Violence

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention published an action plan in 1996 that established eight objectives as the foundation for innovative and effective action by federal, state, and local governments, in partnership with private sector organizations, to reduce juvenile violence and victimization. This bulletin summarizes the accomplishments of council member agencies in meeting one of the Action Plan's eight objectives and numerous related action steps. It focuses on objective five, breaking the cycle of violence by addressing youth victimization, abuse, and neglect. Following the organization of the Action Plan, Section 1 presents recent data on juvenile victimization and compares it with data in the Action Plan. Section 2 discusses victimization trends. Section 3 discusses effective and promising strategies and programs. Section 4 provides updated information on federal programs since 1996. Lists of sources of additional information are included. (Contains 22 references.) (JDM)

Black Students, Crime, Elementary Secondary Education, Expulsion, Hispanic American Students, Racial Bias, Racial Differences, School Policy, School Safety, Student Behavior, Suspension, Victimization, Violence, and Zero Tolerance Policy

Though the media depicts U.S. youth as more criminally prone than they actually are and highlights school shootings, schools are still one of the safest places for youth to be. This policy brief adds perspective to punitive school policies (e.g., zero tolerance policies that require suspension or expulsion) in the face of stable or declining rates of youthful offending in schools. In order to compare rates of school assaults with rates of suspension and expulsion, researchers analyzed the latest available government data for both indexes. From 1976-98, nearly 95 percent of students reported they had not been injured with a weapon at or near school in the past 12 months. Despite relatively stable rates of student victimization over the 23 years, suspensions and expulsions have nearly doubled. The increase seems to have little to do with reported victimization and does not appear to have affected reported victimization markedly. Other research indicates that suspended students often find themselves bereft of any form of education. There are racial disparities in student suspensions, particularly with respect to black makes. Students suspended from school are much more likely to engage in physical fights, carry a weapon, smoke, use alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. (SM)

Child Abuse, Children, Community Programs, Delinquency, Family Influence, Juvenile Justice, Missing Children, National Programs, Prevention, Victimization, and Violence

More than two decades of research have pointed to the connection between childhood maltreatment and delinquency. In addition, recent research confirms that harm is inflicted on children who are subjected to family and community violence. The Child Protection Division was created in an effort to bring child protection to the forefront and to prevent delinquency. The mission of the Child Protection Division is to safeguard children by supporting research and programs on child victimization and their exposure to violence. This bulletin provides information, training, and technical assistance to state, local, and community-based agencies. It discusses the rationale for their work in areas of missing and exploited children and child maltreatment. Some examples of program initiatives include: Safe Start to reduce the impact of family violence on young children; Safe Kids/Safe Streets to reduce child abuse and neglect; Parents Anonymous to strengthen the family through self-help programs; Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program to investigate child sexual exploitation; and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to assist law enforcement agencies in their search for missing children. A list of references is provided on new and ongoing projects, initiatives, and funding opportunities. (JDM)

Child Abuse, Child Advocacy, Child Safety, Child Welfare, Childhood Needs, Children, Childrens Rights, Civil Rights Legislation, Compliance (Legal), Females, Foreign Countries, Government Role, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement, Refugees, Sexual Abuse, Social Discrimination, Victimization, Violence, Well Being, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Turkey

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Turkey and observations regarding violence against girls in Turkey. The report is presented in three major parts. Part 1 asserts that despite the considerable legal framework for protecting children's rights, there is adequate proof that there are serious deficiencies in Turkey's system of child protection. Observations and recommendations are made in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; and (3) children in conflict with the law. This part concludes with recommendations related to the discrimination of Kurdish children and girls, treatment of refugee children, torture, and the juvenile justice system. Part 2 focuses on violence against girls in Turkey. This second part details problems related to domestic violence, marital rape, crimes committed against females in the name of "honor," virginity testing, sexual violence, prostitution and trafficking in girls, and state-perpetrated violence against girls. This part concludes with recommendations related to each of the problems discussed. Part 3 provides a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Turkey, including those related to difficulties in implementation the Convention; civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures. (KB)

Child Abuse, Child Advocacy, Child Safety, Child Welfare, Childhood Needs, Children, Childrens Rights, Civil Rights Legislation, Compliance (Legal), Foreign Countries, Government Role, Law Enforcement, Refugees, Sexual Abuse, Victimization, Well Being, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Congo

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The report's introductory summary asserts that although the DRC has ratified the Convention and other international instruments condemning the practice of torture, torture seems to be systematically used in the DRC. The report notes that the current conflict in the DRC has resulted in large numbers of children being recruited/forced into armed service, killed, or displaced. Considerable discrimination is evident against girls, displaced children, refugee children, child soldiers, street children, and ethnic minority children. The report presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (3) protection against all forms of violence, particularly sexual abuse; (4) children in conflict with the law; and (5) rehabilitation. The report's conclusion maintains that the state's report demonstrates its awareness of obstacles to applying the Convention, but has omitted important information, especially concerning ill-treatment and cases of torture. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Democratic Republic of the Congo, including those related to legislation; budget allocation; cooperation with nongovernmental organizations; civil rights and freedom; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection. (Contains 61 footnotes.) (KB)

Adoption, Child Abuse, Child Advocacy, Child Safety, Child Welfare, Childhood Needs, Children, Childrens Rights, Civil Rights Legislation, Compliance (Legal), Foreign Countries, Government Role, Homeless People, Law Enforcement, Victimization, Well Being, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Guatemala

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Guatemala. The report's introductory summary asserts that the end of armed conflict in Guatemala and the establishment of a peace process coupled with other government regulations has led to conditions in which it may be possible to strengthen legal instruments for protecting human rights and improve living conditions for Guatemalan children. The report presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) child prostitution and child trafficking; (3) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (4) street children; and (5) children in conflict with the law. The report's conclusion maintains that although Guatemala has made efforts to protect children's rights, those efforts are not as effective as they could have been had the entry into force of the Code on Children and Young People not been continually postponed. The OMCT expressed concern about the increase in the prostitution of girls and the lack of government effort to combat the trade as well as the high rate of illegal adoptions. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Guatemala, in the following areas: civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; special protection measures; and dissemination of documents from the reporting process. (Contains 54 footnotes.) (KB)

Child Abuse, Child Advocacy, Child Safety, Child Welfare, Childhood Needs, Children, Childrens Rights, Civil Rights Legislation, Compliance (Legal), Delinquency, Foreign Countries, Government Role, Law Enforcement, Victimization, Victims of Crime, Well Being, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Burundi

This report to the United Nations (U.N.) Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by Burundi. The report is presented in seven parts. Part 1 outlines preliminary observations regarding Burundi's ratification of the Convention, noting that the government omitted important information in their report to the Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Part 2 presents general observations on the situation of children in Burundi, asserting that torture seems to be a systematic practice within the country, with evidence for violations of children's rights by rebel forces, the police and armed forces, and by family members. Part 3 of the report provides definitions of "child." Part 4 details protections against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, including the definition of torture in international law and Burundi's legal framework. Part 5 concerns children in conflict with the law, presenting information on the age of penal responsibility, policy custody, and procedures related to the death penalty, life imprisonment, children's complaints, independence of the judiciary, validity of confessions obtained under torture, detention with adults, and medical examinations during detention. Part 6 of the report notes concern with ethnic tensions in Burundi between the Hutu and Tutsi, and describes refugee camp and regroupment sites. Following OMTC conclusions, the report presents a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Burundi, in the following areas: positive aspects, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (KB)

Bullying, Elementary School Students, Grade 5, Grade 6, Intermediate Grades, Interpersonal Communication, Lower Middle Class, Measures (Individuals), Peer Relationship, Social Cognition, Social Indicators, Victimization, and Whites

A study was designed to identify the potential contributory effects of different social information perspectives on the stability of bully and victim social roles and the interrelationships of three behavioral indices of bully and victim behavior. Students (N=120) from grades 5 and 6 completed behavioral indices of bully and victim behavior. Seventeen classes from four different schools in predominately Caucasian, low-to-moderate economic status neighbors participated. The interrelationship among the victim behavior indices supported the notion that victimized children tended to both recognize how they were perceived by others and agreed with the perceptions of their peer group, yet disagreed with the characterization. Additional descriptive information is provided, including a measure of children's perceived peer perspective and the clinical implications of using all three behavioral indices. (Contains 31 references and 4 tables.) (JDM)

Adolescent Development, Adolescents, Child Safety, Community Involvement, Crime Prevention, Foreign Countries, Health Promotion, Public Policy, School Safety, Victimization, Violence, and Canada

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent youth victimization and the likelihood that youth living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to youth ages 12 to 18 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (a focus on early intervention and models of prevention: transforming knowledge into action); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (interplay among risk factors at individual, family, and community levels; key challenges; and optimal points of intervention); (5) "Guiding Principles" (e.g., focus on youth and families living in conditions of multiple risk and engage youth and their support systems in the process); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (foster community action, promote conditions that will prevent youth victimization, and the probability of current or later life criminal behavior); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, comprehensive strategies and models, tools and resource development, and research and knowledge development); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendixes present data on crime prevention and childhood experiences, situations, and potential adverse consequences; factors that contribute to positive outcomes for children and youth; and the funding focus. (SM)

Child Development, Child Safety, Children, Community Involvement, Crime Prevention, Foreign Countries, Health Promotion, Public Policy, School Safety, Victimization, Violence, and Canada

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent child victimization and the likelihood that children living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to children ages 0 to 12 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (a focus on early intervention and models of prevention: transforming knowledge into action); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (key challenges and optimal points of intervention); (5) "Guiding Principles" (e.g., focus on children and families living in conditions of multiple risk and engage children and families in the process); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (foster community action and promote conditions that will prevent childhood victimization and early onset of criminal behavior); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, comprehensive strategies and models, tools and resource development, and research and knowledge development); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendixes present data on crime prevention and childhood experiences, situations, and potential adverse consequences, and factors that contribute to positive outcomes for children and youth. (SM)

Child Safety, Community Involvement, Crime Prevention, Family Violence, Females, Foreign Countries, Gender Issues, Health Promotion, Public Policy, Security (Psychology), Victimization, and Canada

This document presents a policy framework for improving the personal security of women and girls. The document includes: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (the concept of personal security, the societal context of women's personal security, consequences of violence for women and girls, long-term policy concern, and building an integrated policy response); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention in Addressing the Personal Security Issues of Women and Girls"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (the current situation and personal security for girls and women); (5) "Proposed Guiding Principles" (e.g., integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of the strategy, involve women and girls in the process, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and sectors); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (e.g., identify and reduce the range of conditions undermining the personal security of women and girls); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, prevention/intervention project demonstration and evaluations, model development, research and knowledge development, tools and resource development, and the role of the business community); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendices present information on risk factors and consequences and funding priorities. (SM)