ADOLESCENTS AT RISK FOR VIOLENCE

Interpersonal violence among youth is a growing problem in many commun ities and schools across the nation. The causes of violence are multip le and complex This paper examines the extent and nature of interperso nal violence among youth, as well as the individual and societal facto rs which contribute to youth violence. Adolescents are disproportionat ely represented as both victims and perpetrators of fatal and nonfatal assaultive violence. Homicide rates among young men in the United Sta tes are vastly greater than those of other Western industrialized nati ons, Persons ages 12-24 years face the highest risk of nonfatal violen t victimization of any segment of our society. Arrest rates for homici de, rape, robbery, and a aggravated assault peak among adolescents and young adults, Further, arrest rates for murder and other violent crim es have increased substantially among this age group since the mid-198 0s. Effective prevention programs will require combinations of interve ntions aimed at multiple factors and delivered through many channels.