CASA

2 Teens from Neighboring Community Assaulted by

14 Teens Stemming From Dispute Over Girlfriend;

1 Ends Up In Hospital

 

Following a Football Game, An Innocent Teen

is Brutally Beaten by 9 Other Teens

 

7th Grader is Physically Aggressive Towards

Mother Because He Can’t Go Out

 

16-Year Old Drug User Repeatedly Punches Holes

In Walls and Kicks in Doors; Traumatizes Siblings;

Mother Feels Hopeless

 

These actual incidents are examples of what has happened right here in the San Ramon Valley—showing that we are not immune to the national trend of escalating juvenile violence. This trend is often fueled by drug or alcohol use. Studies show there is a direct relationship between substance use and aggression.

The ugly face of violence is changing, and it is spreading. What once was considered a problem almost exclusive to under-educated, poor, inner-city youth is spreading to the suburbs and rural communities. This new wave of violence has a different face and a different character.  

Contra Costa County has recently published its Children’s Report Card. According to its findings, in 1997, the rate of juvenile violent crime arrests in Contra Costa exceeded the overall rate for California as a whole, for the first time in nearly a decade. Violent crime happens in all regions of Contra Costa County, including the San Ramon Valley.

There is a clear link between substance use and violence. Local law enforcement statistics show that most incidents of juvenile violence occur immediately following or during the use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Risk Factors

Poverty no longer is a crucial denominator.  Numerous research studies have concluded that a complex interaction or combination of factors leads to an increased risk of violent behavior in children and adolescents.  Certain environments or stressful situations can trigger aggression and violence for those children who are at risk. These risk factors include:

·         Depression

·         Lack of positive coping skills

·         Lack of positive role modeling

·         Changing family structures (marital break-up, lack of extended family support, both parents working outside the home, blended families, single parenting families)

·         Previous aggressive or violent behavior

·         Being a victim of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse

·         Exposure to violence in the home and/or community

·         Media desensitizing of violence (via TV, movies, video games, internet, some music)

·         Substance use (alcohol and/or other drugs)

·         Genetic pre-disposition

·         Financial stressors (severe deprivation, unemployment, money problems, pressures to live beyond your means, etc.)

·         Presence of firearms or other weapons in home

Research studies have shown that much violent behavior can be decreased or even prevented if the above risk factors are significantly reduced or eliminated, particularly by dramatically decreasing the exposure of children and adolescents to violence in the home, community, and through the media. Clearly, violence leads to violence.

Children as young as preschoolers are now showing violent behavior. Violent behavior in a child at any age always needs to be taken seriously. It should not be dismissed as “just a phase they’re going through!” or something they will outgrow. Addressing problems early in the child’s life could give them the help they need to prevent future acts of violence.

Former California State Attorney-General Bill Lockyer stated: “The majority of juvenile crime is committed by 8 to 10% of our youth. Most of our third grade teachers can tell you which of their students will be included in those statistics.”  Those statistics can be decreased with early intervention for the child and the family.

 

“People who use drugs undermine not just their own lives, but make victims of us all as they destroy future generations, overrun our hospitals and health care facilities, cause carnage on our highways, and destroy our cities and neighborhoods as they commit crimes and victimize their own children and innocent law-abiding citizens.” Judge Lois Haight,           Presiding Juvenile Court Judge                        Dept. 10, Superior Judge       Martinez

Early Warning Signs:

Recognizing your child is vulnerable is the first step. Recognizing behavior that would be considered an early warning sign is the next step. Exhibiting any of these early warning signs is a cry for help and should not be ignored.

·         Frequent displays of uncontrolled or inappropriate anger

·         Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and bullying behaviors

·         Frequent fighting with other children in school

·         Reaction to disappointments, criticism, or teasing with extreme or intense anger, blame, or revenge

·         Serious threats of violence

·         Vandalism or intentional destruction of property within the home

·         Few friends, and often rejected by other children because of his or her behavior

·         Insensitivity to the feelings or rights of others

·         Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes

·         Excessive feelings of isolation, of being alone or of being picked on or persecuted

·         Excessive feelings of rejection

·         Consistent refusal to listen to adults

·         Friendships with other children known to be unruly or aggressive

·         Fascination with violent television shows, movies, video games or music

·         Prior victim of violence

·         History of discipline problems

·         Expression of violence in writings and/or drawings

·         Cruel or violent behavior toward pets or other animals

·         Fire setting

·         Alcohol and/or other drug use

·         Interest in gangs or mimicking gang behavior (gang wannabes)

·         Inappropriate access to, possession of, and use of firearms or other weapons

Imminent Warning Signs

No single warning sign can predict that a dangerous act will occur, but imminent warning signs may indicate that a person is very close to behaving in a way that is potentially dangerous to self and/or to others and require an immediate response.

Imminent warning signs usually are presented as a sequence of overt, serious, hostile behaviors or threats directed at others. Imminent warning signs may include:

·         Severe anger or rage for seemingly minor reasons

·         Severe destruction of property within the home

·         Serious physical fighting with peers or family members

·         Chronic vandalism

·         Detailed threats of lethal violence

·         Self-injurious behaviors or threats of suicide

·         Adamant disregard for authority figures or for the feelings or rights of others

·         Reliance on physical violence or threats of violence to solve problems

·         Deep seated anger that life has treated him or her unfairly

·         Repeated suspension or expulsion from school, school drop-out

·         Fascination with firearms and other weapons

·         Gang membership or associates with peers involved in fighting, stealing, or destroying property

·         Increased use of alcohol and/or other drugs

·         Withdrawal from family and social norms and structure

 

Parents who are concerned about any of these warning signs should discuss their concerns with a mental health professional or appropriate school staff member who will help parents understand their child’s behavior and suggest ways to prevent violent behavior. If appropriate, parents could contact their local police youth services department.

“During the years I have worked with youth and adults in regards to drugs and violence prevention, experience has taught me that you cannot separate drugs from violence. Drug use causes violence and violence almost always has a direct, or an indirect, correlation to drugs. Drugs and violence: they go hand-in-hand.”    —Officer Dan Douglas

Suggestions for Parents

You can help create a safe and less violent environment for your children. Teach them to have respect for themselves and for others, and to accept individual differences. Teach your children to problem-solve and develop strategies for conflict resolution. Children should be taught to find ways to deal with anger that don’t involve verbally or physically hurting others. Striking out verbally or physically is never the way to handle a problem. Violence leads to violence.

As a parent, you must accept the tough job of consistently dealing with inappropriate behavior every time it occurs. Set limits for your child, no matter what his/her age. Don’t ignore violence—verbal or physical.

Listen to your child and share your thoughts, values, and morals with him/her.  Communicate openly with your child even when it is tough. Listen to your child if he or she shares concerns about friends who may be exhibiting troubling behaviors. Talk with your child about the violence he or she sees or hears on television, in video games, in music, and possibly in the your neighborhood.

Be involved in your child’s life through school, faith community, sports, friends, community service or volunteerism. Know the parents of your child’s friends. Be your child’s advocate and role model. Parent means protector—be that to your child. Remember that parents are role models for their children. Lead the life you want your children to live. Be aware of sending mixed messages. Children tend to do what we do, not what we say. Above all, love and respect your child unconditionally.

 

A concern to many interested in the development and growth of teenagers is a serious deterioration in the messages of some music. The following troublesome themes are prominent: graphic violence; advocating and glamorizing use of alcohol and/or other drugs; pictures and explicit lyrics presenting suicide as an “alternative” or “solution;” preoccupation with the occult; songs about Satanism and human sacrifice, and apparent enactment of these rituals in concerts; or sex which focuses on controlling, sadism, masochism, incest, devaluing women, and violence toward women.   Parents can help their teenagers by paying attention to their teenager’s purchasing, listening and viewing patters, and by helping them identify music that may be destructive.

 

Resources begin on page 136, Web Sources on 165