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Following the aftermath of school
shootings in Paducah, Jonesboro and Columbine, there has been
an intense concern about school violence. These shootings were
not singular events. However, despite concerns about increasing
homicides among adolescents, current trends suggest a downward
turn in school-related aggression among youth. The
Bureau of Justice Statistics' National Crime Victimization Survey
demonstrates that although overall the number of deaths related
to school shootings have declined, the number of youth victims
per act of violence has risen.
- Between
July 1992 and June 1994, 105 violent deaths occurred on or near
school grounds or at school-associated events.
- In
1997-98, there were 29 single homicides, 14 multiple victim homicides,
and 3 combination suicide/victim homicides.
Since
the 1992-93 school year, there has been at least one multiple
victim homicide event each year (except for the 1993-1994 school
year). The number increased from two events in 1992-93 to five
events in 1997-98.
The
Health
Behavior of School Children Survey
currently provides minimal data on the prevalence of
"bullying" or harassment. Recent data illustrates that 15 percent
of 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds in the U.S. had been bullied because
of their religion or race. Over 30 percent of 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds
in the U.S. had been bullied by sexual jokes, comments, or gestures
directed at them. For the first time, hate crimes and harassment
will be included in the:
-
Bureau
of Justice Statistics' National Crime Victimization Survey
and the School Crime Supplement of NCVS' School Survey on
Crime and Safety
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U.S.
Departments of Education and Justice Annual Report on School
Safety
-
National
CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey
-
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention School Health Policies
and Programs Study (SHPPS)
This
marks a growing recognition of school and community violence, whether
physical, verbal, written, sexual, or exclusionary, aimed at students
or youth of different religions, races, sexual orientations or abilities.
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