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| Wilson: Community Must Combat Youth Violence |
March 09, 2000 |
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Wilson stresses the importance of an adult role model in preventing
children from choosing a path of violence
WASHINGTON, DC – The Bipartisan Working Group on Youth Violence publicly released its findings today during a press conference in Washington, DC. In June of 1999, Congresswoman Heather Wilson was appointed by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert (R - IL) to serve on this bipartisan panel charged with creating consensus solutions to the problem of youth violence in America.
“This bipartisan working group has been an excellent experience and I hope that we can continue to address the issue of youth violence without the partisan rancor that often accompanies the debate on this and related issues,” said Wilson. “The report makes it clear that Congress can and must play a supporting role in combating youth violence, but the solutions will come from parents, educators, local law enforcement and community groups.
“The recent tragedy in Michigan has once again illustrated the importance of a positive role model in a child’s life. One person can make the difference in a child’s life and that is why I am committed to helping community programs such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
The working group agreed on seven major conclusions:
* Prevention and early intervention programs are essential to reducing youth violence.
* Parents and communities must take an active and positive role in the lives of children.
* At-risk youth need access to childhood health programs and mental health services.
* The juvenile justice system should treat children individually and with the objective of rehabilitation.
* Information sharing between educators, law enforcement, social services agencies, and judges is essential to addressing the unique needs of a particular youth.
* Schools provide a venue and an opportunity to identify young people who are potentially at risk.
* Congress should only fund programs of demonstrated effectiveness, and such programs should be evaluated on an ongoing basis as a condition of continued funding.
One of the priorities of the working group was clearing up some of the misconceptions regarding youth violence in our schools. Schools are one of the safest places for our children. Sadly, more children are hurt at home – by those who should love them most – than in school. “But when violence does happen at a school, it is frightening for every parent, including me,” Wilson said. “Every parent who puts their child on the bus in the morning wants to be sure that they will come home safely in the afternoon.”
Prior to her appointment tot he bi-partisan working group, Wilson hosted a School Safety and Security Forum at an Albuquerque High School last May. More than 135 business people, law enforcement officials, students, community members, educators, and youth organizations contributed their ideas on how to make our schools safer.
After Wilson`s appointment to the Youth Violence working group, she visited with youth advocates and organizations in New Mexico. She toured the Youth Development and Diagnostic Center, UNM Children`s Psychiatric Hospital and the Bernalillo County Detention Center. She met with incarcerated youth, and those charged with their care. Wilson also held meetings with the Children`s Court Judges, school social workers and resource officers, youth ministers, and her Crime Advisory Council. Wilson used what she learned in these meetings and tours, along with responses to a community survey conducted by Wilson`s office, to formulate her ideas in the working group.
Since June of last year, the 24 members of the Working Group heard testimony from expert witnesses from law enforcement, the judicial system, advocacy groups, and academia. The Working Group report presents an overview of the causes of youth violence and suggests ways Congress can work with state and local governments, educators, community leaders, and families to improve the lives and safety of young people in America.
If you would like to receive a copy of the executive summary of the Youth Violence Working Group report please call Kevin McDermott at (202) 338-9444.
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