City report on youth violence

One in 15 New York City public high school students have reported carrying a weapon to school within the past month, according to a recently released city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) survey.
This statistic may seem alarming; however, officials noted it is a 25 percent reduction from 1997 rates and is similar to the national average of teens carrying weapons.
Although this decrease correlates with less fighting in public schools, physical dating violence and forced sex have increased as 10 percent of NYC youth reported experiencing physical violence from a partner. This elevated statistic may not necessarily denote higher rates of sexual violence among teens, but more incidents of teens identifying and reporting the violence.
Meanwhile, youth who carry weapons to school and those threatened by carriers have shown higher rates of illegal drug use and are more likely to have attempted suicide within the past year, according to the report.
“Violent experiences can affect the well-being of teens,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Health Commissioner. “As parents, teachers and health care providers, we have a responsibility to work together to keep our children safe and secure. By taking action early, we protect their health and prevent violence from interfering with teens’ development at home or in the classroom.”
One of a number of city and community-based initiatives, the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence has teamed with the Department of Youth and Community Development to educate young people on dating violence.
Together, these agencies developed the New York City Healthy Relationship Training Academy, which hosts workshops that teach young people and youth service providers about the dynamics of abusive relationships and the characteristics of healthy, loving relationships.
“We are working to empower young people with the tools and knowledge to recognize what healthy, loving relationships look like,” said Yolanda B. Jimenez, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. “Through our peer-education anti-violence programming and outreach, we are taking the first step in preventing domestic violence and keeping teens safe.”
During the workshops, peer educators highlight real-life experiences and encourage participants to evaluate their own lives in an effort to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships. Since the program’s inception in 2005, it has held 77 workshops serving more than 1,300 youth participants; 23 percent of these workshops took place in Queens.
Department of Health recommendations to parents for prevention of teen violence include: