What You Need to Know About Youth Violence Prevention

Introduction

In response to a sudden series of high-profile school shootings, schools and communities across the United States have implemented hundreds of violence prevention programs. Which programs really work? How can we tell? Are any of these programs doing more harm than good?

This guide, based on the state-of-the-science Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, released in January 2001, and other selected research-informed sources, summarizes the latest knowledge on youth violence. It describes both risk factors that may lead to violence and protective factors that may both prevent it and promote healthy childhood development. It describes evidence-based programs that help prevent youth violence and presents the Surgeon General's vision — suggested courses of action — for youth violence prevention in the future. Publications and organizations that can provide additional information are listed.

Although more research and evaluation of existing youth violence prevention programs are needed, many programs can be implemented now. With the information already available, schools and communities can consider (and perhaps reconsider) their prevention strategies in light of the most current and reliable research findings. This guide can help meet the challenge of directing resources toward effective strategies and programs, disseminating scientifically validated studies, and providing resources and incentives for the implementation and evaluation of programs that are promising.

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