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Helping the Victims of Youth-on-Youth Criminal Violence
2006
Research Team
Lisa Heslop & Corinne Enright, Family Consultant and Victim Services Unit
London Police Service
Alison Cunningham, Pamela Hurley & Lynda Stevens, Child Witness Project
Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System
The Teens Hurting Teens Study is a collaborative effort of the London Police Service and the Child Witness Project, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System, funded by the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat of the
Ministry of the Attorney General. The focus of this study is on violent crime committed by youth against other youth. We read a random sample of 247 police reports from a three-year period before and after the proclamation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), analysed all police occurrences for 2004, reviewed 105 case files from the Child Witness Project, and interviewed 17 young people (and their parents) who experienced or witnessed peer violence. In addition to a summary report, we have fact sheets of recommendations for four professional groups: schools, police, prosecutors, and those who help young witnesses prepare for court.
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 When Teens Hurt Teens: Helping the Victims of Youth-on-Youth Criminal Violence (overview of findings)
This report details the methodology of the study and results of the analysis. It is available for download and also can be ordered for $20.00 plus postage and handling. It describes the key findings of this study, from the decision by a young victim to report the crime through to sentencing in court. Changes triggered by the Youth Criminal Justice Act are also described.
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When Teens Hurt Teens: Implications for Police
A two-page fact sheet summarizing the implications for police of the findings of this study. How an officer interacts with a victim of crime has an enormous impact on his or her adjustment in the short or long-term. The Youth Criminal Justice Act provides more options for front-line officers who make decisions about charging young suspects. However, the needs of the young victims remain the same. Eight recommendations are suggested for consideration.
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When Teens Hurt Teens: Implications for Prosecutors
A two-page fact sheet summarizing the implications for prosecutors of the findings of this study. Because victims and perpetrators of peer-on-peer violence usually know each other, the events described in a police report are often a snap shot in the context of an on-going relationship. This fact has many implications for the prosecution process, as does the fact that young victims have special needs and vulnerabilities. Teenage victims may look all grown up on the surface, but they can think and feel very much like children. The needs of young victims are outlined and seven recommendations are offered for consideration.
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When Teens Hurt Teens: Implications for Schools
The majority of peer-on-peer violence known to the police occurs at school or on the way to or from school. Because the victim and accused are usually acquainted, the reality of on-going contact can cause distress and raise safety concerns after the incident is discovered by authorities. Fear of retaliation or intimidation by the accused and his or her associates may result in the victim skipping classes, missing extracurricular opportunities, changing schools, or even dropping out.
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When Teens Hurt Teens: Implications for Child Witness Support Programs
Victims and witnesses of peer-on-peer violence can present complex and complicated issues for their supporters. They may appear more mature and informed than they are. Many will be reluctant to reveal feelings of vulnerability and may have difficulty expressing their fears or concerns about testifying. Some are embarrassed to label themselves as "victims" and others will have a history of victimization they may not disclose. They are best served by identification of individual needs early in their involvement with the justice system.
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