Crime

A recent government report shows that fewer children in the United States are found to have been exposed to violent crime. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics over the past two decades children living in households where another member had been a victim of domestic violence, rape, robbery, and sexual assault decreased by about 68%. Children who are exposed to violent crime are more likely to have emotional problems, become victims of violence, or commit violent crimes themselves later on in life. Contrary to popular belief there has been an overall drop in violent crimes which directly corresponds to fewer children being exposed to violent crimes. It also correlates with declines in other  indicators of childhood distress, and dispite all the very recently publicized school shooting surveys indicate that children report feeling safer at school then they did in the past and are less likely to engage in risky sexual activity. The most drastic decline in children exposed to violence in the home occurred from 1993 to 2001. While it is certain that there has been a decrease in the number or children that have been exposed to violent crime the reason why is unclear but it is thought that large societal changes like the growth of prevention programs to increase awareness, the arrival of cellphones which makes it easier to summon help, and the use or medications to treat depression and psychiatric problems. Based on an analysis of data from the annual National Crime Victimization of the children exposed to the violent victimization of a household member in 2010, the exposure to violent crime was greatest in households headed by an unmarried adult, a single parent household, and households in poverty. Although much work still needs to be done regarding children exposed to violence in households the decrease seen is extremely positive and hopefully it will continue to occur.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/us/number-of-children-exposed-to-violent-crime-drops.html

1/27/10 3:35am