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Reaching and serving teen victims: A practical handbook
At home, at school, and in public places, teenagers are victimised by assault, rape, robbery, and other crimes. Data from the United States shows they are twice as likely as adults to become victims of violent crime. These victims are frequently more vulnerable to being revictimised - an American study found that 80% of youths reporting violent victimisation had been victimised two or more times. Despite being victimised more often than other age groups, teens are the least likely to report their victimisation. This guide will help victim service providers reach and work with teen victims more effectively.
Title: Reaching and serving teen victims: A practical handbook
Authors: National Crime Prevention Council (US), National Center for Victims of Crime (US) & Office for Victims of Crime (US)
Number of pages: 44
Date published: December 2005
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Contents
The full report contains:
The rationale for focusing on teen victims and exploring the common ground between victim services and youth development.
Both youth development professionals and victim service providers have many of the skills necessary to work with teens. Victims, like many teens, often feel isolated, powerless, disrespected, and misunderstood. Professionals who know how to help people see their own worth and power despite such feelings are well suited to work with teens, with victims, or with both.
The principles of adolescent development and the unique impact of victimisation on adolescents, who are already facing numerous challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
When asked to brainstorm a list of words they associate with teenagers, many adults come up with adjectives like "rebellious," "loud," "disrespectful," and "melodramatic." While all of these descriptions may fit a large number of teens, it's easy to overlook the developmental processes that underlie these seemingly negative characteristics.
Tips on how to assess the nature and extent of teen victimisation in your own community.
Statistics on teen victimisation are telling, but what does the problem look like in your community? The only way to know is to collect local information and talk with teens and service providers in your area. While some communities struggle with gang violence, others find that dating violence and sexual assault are major problems for their teens. In some towns, bullying has emerged as the biggest problem for teens and young adolescents. Although national organisations can be good resources, crime and victimisation are essentially local problems that respond to locally driven solutions.
Steps (from outreach to the service environment to specific interventions) that service providers can take to improve their success with teen victims.
Many service providers conduct teen education and outreach activities that focus on the prevention of abusive behaviour and victimisation. Prevention education is certainly critical. Many prevention programs, however, miss the boat by failing to include information for teens who have already been victimised. Because young people ages 12 to 19 have the highest rates of criminal victimisation among all people ages 12 and over, outreach coordinators and prevention educators should be aware that they will always have some victims in their audience.
Tips on legal issues and parental involvement.
This chapter gives brief guidance on some of these issues. However, it is not meant as a comprehensive legal or ethical guide. It is imperative that all professionals who work with minors familiarise themselves with their state laws and the ethical guidelines of their own profession. Please also bear in mind that the law in the UK will differ from that outlined in the guide.
Closing comments.
Resources for more information.
Getting a copy
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Last update: 13 December 2005