Youth Violence Prevention

This document is one of a series of technical notes that describe the nature and magnitude of violence in the region, its causes and effects, and how it can be prevented and controlled. The notes provide useful information on designing programs and policies to prevent and deal with violence. This technical note discusses youth violence prevention issues. Increasing violence among young people is a particularly alarming problem in the region. Youth are at a higher risk of being victims and perpetrators of violence, including physical injury, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional and verbal abuse. Yet juvenile violence can be prevented and juvenile offenders can be rehabilitated. This technical note calls attention to a growing body of scientifically credible evidence that can be used to implement sound and cost-effective violence prevention programs.