Online Project One: Helping Victims of Crime
Handout Two--Fact Sheet
Statistics
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In 2003, 5 percent of students ages 12 to 18 reported being victimized at school. Four percent reported theft, while 1 percent said they were victims of a violent crime.
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In 2003, 33 percent of high school students reported having been in a fight. 13 percent said they had been in a fight on school property during the preceding 12 months.
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Student victimization rates were lower at school than away from school for each survey year from 1992 through 2004.
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Between 1992 and 2004, the violent crime rate at school dropped by 54 percent--from 48 victim reports per 1,000 students 12 to 18 years old in 1992 to 22 victim reports per 1,000 students in 2004.
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Theft victimization rates at schools dropped by 65 percent--from 95 theft reports per 1,0000 in 1992 to 33 reports per 1,000 students in 2004.
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During 2004, younger students (those from 12 to 14 years old) were more likely than older students (15 to 18 years old) to be crime victims at school.
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Older students were more likely than younger students to be victims of crimes away from school.
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In 2005, 28 percent of students 12 to 18 years old reported being bullied at school. Twenty-four percent of those students reported that they had sustained an injury as a result of the bullying incident.
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In 2004-05, schools reported 21 homicides on school grounds. In 2003--schools reported 19 homicides.
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Homicides of school age children were about 50 times more likely to occur away from school than at school.
The Impact
Victims of school violence experience symptoms that can take years to heal. Some victims never fully recover. Many victims experience anger and frustration toward the offender. Students who have been victims of school violence often feel frightened and avoid others who associate with or resemble the offender. In some cases, victims of school violence seek retaliation that can lead to more violence.
Reporting Crime
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, people between the ages of 12 and 19 are twice as likely to be victims of violent crime than adults.
Teenagers are less likely than adults to report these crimes. As you think about ways to help teen victims of crime, you should keep in mind that helping youth report crime is a first step.
Some reasons why youth victims do not report the crimes done against them:
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Lack of understanding that what they experienced was a crime
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Fear that no one will believe them
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Fear of being blamed or punished
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Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame
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Fear of retaliation
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Mistrust of adults
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Belief that nothing will be done
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Lack of knowledge about available services
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Lack of access to services
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Perceived and real limits of confidentiality
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Note: Visit the web sites of the two agencies above to learn more about teen victims.
Based on what you have learned from your research on the problem of teen victimization, what information and resources would be helpful to teem victims in your community? In addition to medical help, what other kinds of help might they need? Who should they talk to? Where should they go?
Note: Talk to people who already work with teen victims of crime to get advice. Police officers, counselors, school psychologists, and others.
