Because Things Happen Every Day:
www.ncvc.org
COPSCOMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICESU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
www.cops.usdoj.gov
Teen
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Vict
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Responding to Teenage Victims of Crime Discussion Guide
It took a while for me to learn-actually accept-that people have actually been through the same things I have. I just wish that they would've had a group like this sooner. Not just because something happened, but because things happen every day. -Yolanda
TheNationalCenterforVictimsofCrimeandtheOfficeofCommunityOrientedPolicingServices,U.S.DepartmentofJustice,producedthis20-minuteeducationalvideo,Because Things Happen Every Day: Responding to Teenage Victims of Crime,toillustratetheimportanceofacollaborativecommunityresponsetoteenagevictimsofcrime.
Thestatisticsarealarming:adolescentsrepresentapproximately14percentofthegeneralpopulation,yettheycompriseabout31percentofindividualswhobecomevictimsofviolence.1Infact,teenagersareapproximatelytwiceaslikelyasotheragegroupstobecomevictimsofviolence.2Victimizationduringadolescencecomesataparticularlydifficulttimeinlife.Normaladolescentdevelopmentischaracterizedbyrapidchange,culminatinginadesireforindependence,asearchforidentity,thedevelopmentofabstractthinkingskills,andaneedtoseparatefromadultsbyestablishingcloserelationshipswithpeers.Ateen'speergroupbecomesincreasinglyimportantand,insomerespects,moreinfluentialthanparentsorotheradults.
Because Things Happen Every Dayfeaturestwoinnovativeprogramsthathavebeeneffectiveinreachingandrespondingtoteenvictimsthroughtheuseofpeerleadership,in-schoolsupportgroups,one-on-onecounseling,andhotlines.Thevoicesofteensthemselvesareprominentthroughoutthevideo,describingtheirexperienceswithcrime,aswellaswhathelpedthemrecovertheirconfidenceandhope.
About This Video
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How to Use This Video
Because Things Happen Every Dayisgearedtowardanyonewhoworkswithteenagersand/ormightbeinapositiontoidentifyandsupportteenvictims.Someexamplesinclude:
•Youthdevelopmentprofessionals•Victimserviceproviders•Schoolresourceofficersandotherlaw
enforcement•Teenleaders•Schoolcounselorsandteachers(orothereducators)•Communitygroups•Clergy(orotherfaithleaders)•Principalsandadministrators
Thegoalofthisvideoistofosteragreaterunderstandingoftheimpactofcrimeandviolenceonteensandtheobstaclesteensfaceincomingforwardandseekinghelp.Wesuggestyoureviewthevideoseveraltimesbeforepresentingitsothatyouwillbefamiliarwiththecontentandabletoguidethetraininganddiscussion.Suggesteddiscussionquestionsbeginonpagesix.
Whenyourtrainingiscomplete,wehopeyourparticipantswillcomeawaywiththesemainideas:
•Teen victimization is a serious problem.Apervasivelackofawarenessaboutthescope
andprevalenceofteenvictimizationisaserioushurdleinadequatelyrespondingtothisproblem.Anyattempttoaddressteenvictimizationmustinvolveaneducationcomponent.
•Involve teens.Teensaregreatlyinfluencedbytheirpeers.Peer-ledprogramspromoteaction,andadult-runprogramscanbemaximizedwhenteensareputinapositiontoreachoutandhelptheirpeers.
•Partnerships are crucial.Programsforteensaregreatlyenhancedthroughcollaborativeeffortsamongvictimserviceagencies,schools,lawenforcementagencies,businesses,faithcommunities,andyouth-servingorganizations.Decision-makersshouldlookforopportunitiestodevelopnewservicesortailorexistingprogramstodirectlysupportteenvictimsofcrime.
•There are consequences if we don't help teen victims.Notreachingandprovidingsupporttoteenvictimsleadstotremendouspersonalandsocietalcosts.Manyteenvictimsstrugglewithpoorperformanceinschool,depression,andotherproblems.Notrespondingtoteenvictimizationcanhavelife-longconsequences.
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Using This Video with Teens
Althoughthisvideoisaimedatraisingadults'awarenessoftheproblemofteenvictimizationandtherangeofpossibleresponses,youmayalsowishtoshowthisvideototeens.Ifyoudo,besuretowarntheteensthattheywillseeseveralyoungpeopletalkingabouttheirownexperiencesofvictimization,andthismaytriggeruncomfortablefeelingsforthemiftheyorsomeonetheyknowhasbeenvictimized.Besuretogiveteensaresourcenumbertocalliftheywouldliketotalktosomeoneaboutapersonalexperience.Ifpossible,haveatrainedcounseloravailabletoyouthwhoneedimmediatesupportafterorwhileviewingthevideo.
Someofthediscussionquestionsbelowmaybeusedwithyouth,andsomeadditionalonesmaybeadded,dependingonthepurposeoftheviewing.Ifshowingthevideotoagroupofteenleaderswhowanttostartavictimoutreachorsupporteffort,thediscussionleadershouldsolicittheteens'ideasofhowtheywanttogetinvolved,encouragetheteenstomakealistofadultsinthecommunitywhocansupporttheirefforts,andendthediscussionwithaconcreteactionplan.
Program Profiles
SafePlace, inAustin,Texas,isalargevictimserviceagencythataddressesvarioustypesofviolenceagainstadultsandteens.SafePlace,whichoperatesahotlineandprovidesfree,confidentialcounselingtoteens,workscloselywithschoolcounselorsandstafftoformsupportgroupsforteens.SafePlacecastsawidenettoattractteensinmiddleschoolsandhighschoolswhoarevictimsofvarioustypesofviolence,includingdomesticviolence,sexualassault,sexualharassment,anddatingviolence.SafePlaceeducatesteensabouttheeffectsofviolenceandhelpsthemdealwithproblemsexperiencedathomeoratschool.SafePlaceorganizessupportgroupsof6-12teenseachthatmeetforatotalof24sessions.Girlsandboysattendseparatesupportgroupswhichareheldatschools.SafePlace's"ExpectRespect"initiativehasbeenfeaturedonnationaltelevision.
The Students Terminating Abusive Relationships (STAR) ProgramisanpeerleadershipandeducationprograminWestchesterCounty,NewYork.STAR'smissionistospeakoutagainstinterpersonalandsocietalviolenceandtopromotehealthyrelationshipsbasedonequality,respect,andtrust.STARmembersincludehighschoolandcollegestudentswhoattendmonthlymeetingstolearnmoreaboutdatingviolenceandhowtoplanandimplementawarenessactivitiesintheirschoolsandcommunities.TheWhitePlainsHighSchoolSTARchapteroffersamodelapproachforestablishingpartnershipsbetweenschools,victimserviceproviders,and
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thelocalpolicedepartment.STAR'scommunitypartnersinclude:localmiddleschoolsandhighschools,policedepartments,UnitedWay,JuniorLeague,WestchesterMentalHealthAssociation,YWCA,religiousinstitutions,Boys&GirlsClubs,StudentsAgainstDrunkDriving(SADD),andlocalbusinesses.STARcollaborateswiththeWhitePlainsPoliceDepartment,andofficersfrequentlygiveawareness-raisingtalkstohigh-schoolstudents.STARwasstartedbytheNorthernWestchesterShelterinPleasantville,NewYork.TheNorthernWestchesterShelterwasfoundedin1980asasafehavenfordomesticviolencevictims.TheShelterprovidesfreeconfidentialcounseling,legalaid,supportgroups,anda24-hourhotline.
Questions for Discussion
After showing Because Things Happen Every Day,allowforatleast15minutestodiscussaudiencereactionsandexplorehowyourprogramorcommunitycouldimproveitsresponsetoteenagevictimsofcrime.Offeredbelowaresuggestedquestions,groupedbytopicarea,tohelpguideyourdiscussion.Alsohighlightedaredirectquotationsfromthevideothathelpillustrateparticulardiscussionpoints.
Teenvictimization:Thefacts
•What crimes do teen victims experience?
Teenvictimsexperiencethewholerangeofcrimesthatadultsexperience,includingdomesticviolence/datingviolence,burglary,assault,identitytheft,stalking,harassment,andhomicide.
•How is responding to teen victims similar and dissimilar to responding to adult victims of crime?
SusanHerman:"Teenagersneedmanyofsamethings,manyofthesameresourcesandservicesthatadultvictimsofcrimeneed.Theyneedsupport;theyneedsafety;theyneedsafetyplanning;theyneedindividualandgroupcounseling.Theyneedadvocacyforthosewhogothroughthecriminaljusticeprocess.Theyneedcompensation;theyneedordersofprotection.Thefullrangeofservicesandresourcesthatwe'vemadeavailabletoadultsneed[s]tobeadaptedandneed[s]tobemadeaccessibletoteenagevictimsofcrime."However,becauseteensaremakingthetransitionfromchildhoodtoadulthood,supportforteenvictimsmusttaketheirdevelopmentalstageintoconsideration.Forexample,teensarestronglyinfluencedbytheirpeers,sopeer-lededucationandsupportareespeciallybeneficialforthispopulation.
•What are some reasons why a teen might not come forward if he/she is being victimized?
Societyoftenblamesthevictim.Inaddition,teensoftenthinkthattheywillbepunishedorarrestedif,atthetimeofthevictimization,theywereinasituationwheredrugsoralcoholwereinvolved.Additionally,manyteensareawareofmandatoryreportingrequirementsanddonotwanttheirvictimizationbroughttotheattentionoflawenforcementorchildprotectionauthorities.
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Reaching Teens
•What are some effective strategies for reaching teens?
Goingtowhereteensare(e.g.,settinguptablesinthemallorhangingflyersonschoolbulletinboardsandaroundthecommunity);using"teen-friendly"language;formingtrustingrelationships;facilitatingyouth-ledoutreachefforts;ensuringconfidentiality;andmakingeducationalinformationandsupportgroupseasilyaccessibletoteens.
SusanHerman:"Wehavetogowhereteensare,wehavetospeaktheirlanguage,andwehavetohelptheminwaysthattheywanttobeserved."
Ally:"It'simportantforcommunitiestogettheinformationoutthere,becauseiftheydon'tknowthennobody'sgoingtoreachoutforhelp.Teensaren'tgoingtojustvolunteertheirinformationiftheydon'tknowwheretogo,andtheydon'tfeelsafetalkingtojustanyone."
•What outreach techniques can be used to reach teens?
Withintheschoolsetting,hangingflyersandpostersinthehallwaysoronbulletinboards,coordinatingyouth-ledpresentationsinclassrooms,andholdingschoolassembliesarealleffectivewaystoreachteens.Inaddition,teachersandcounselorscanspeakdirectlywithteenswhomightbeatrisk.Theyareinauniquepositiontonoticeifanindividualhasbeenbehavingdifferentlyorhasdrastically
changedhisorherappearance.Schoolofficialsshouldbeknowledgeableandabletomakereferralstosupportgroupsorotherappropriateresources.
GarrethHorwood:"Oftentimesagroupmember,beforehe'smetme,hastalkedtothecounselorortheteacheraboutapersonalexperienceortwo.Sometimesit'sbasedpurelyonwhatthecounselororteacherhasseenintermsofbehavior:hasthatstudentactedviolently?Havetheysuggestedthatmaybethey'vebeenhurtorabused?Maybethey'veevenseenphysicalsignslikeabruiseorsomethinglikethat."
NolanCorrea:"OneoftherecommendationsIwouldliketomakeforotheradministratorsistogooutintoyourcommunityandlooktoseeifthereisagroup,suchasSafePlace,thatcancomeinandassistyourstaff,community,andstudents…Thesegroupsaretheretoeducateandhelp,butwemustgooutandfindthem."
InWestchester,NewYork,theSTARprogramholdsschoolassembliestoeducatestudentsaboutdatingviolenceandsetuptablesatalocalmallonaSaturdayafternoontoprovideliteraturetoteens.
• In what ways did the programs in the video enlist teens in their outreach efforts? In what ways can you involve teens in your own outreach initiatives in your community?
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TheNorthernWestchesterShelterrecognizedtheneedforaneffectivewaytoreachapopulationofvictimsthatwasunderservedanddevelopedStudentsTerminatingAbusiveRelationships(STAR)tomeetthatneed.BecauseSTARisastudent-ledgroup,teensareabletoreachouttootherteensinwaysthattheyknowfirst-handareeffective.Theygivepresentationsaboutwarningsigns,typesofabuse,andwaystohelpafriendinneed.STARteensactivelyencourageboththeirmaleandfemalepeerstosignupfortheSTARprogram.
Ally:"AspartoftheSTARgroup,wereachouttoteensinthecommunitybyputtinguppostersandflyersattheYMCA,thelibrary."
DetectiveTribble:"It'sbetterperceivedfromoneteentoanotherthanasmyself,asanadultandasanauthorityfigure,talkingtoyoungpeople."
•What are the consequences of not responding to teen victimization?
Teensaretwiceaslikelyasanyotheragegrouptobevictimsofviolentcrime.Teencrimevictimsareatagreaterriskofdoingpoorlyinschool,abusingdrugsoralcohol,havingproblemseatingorsleeping,beingrevictimized,andbecominganoffenderofviolentcrimethemselves.
Brandon:"WheneverI'dgetmadatmyhouseandIcan'treallyhitmymomoranything…Iwentandtakeitoutatschool."
Barri:"Wecastthenetkindofwidetoattractasmanykidswhohavehadanyformofvictimizationatalltoparticipate.Becauseweknowthatthosekidsareatgreaterriskforbeingvictimizedagainandforusingthoseabusivebehaviorsintheirownrelationships."
Responding to Teens
•What are some of the indicators, as told by the teens in the video, that a teen might be being victimized?
— Physical injuries
Yolanda:"I'dcometoschoolwithablackeyeandI'dhavebruisemarksonmyneck,shoulders,andarms."
Karis:"IhadbeencuttingbecauseIdon'tknowhowelsetodealwithit…Iusedtohavethesehugegashesallovermyarms."
— Isolation, withdrawal, or over-dependence on a dating partner
Alexa:"Heputmedownandthreatenedme.Hewouldn'tletmegoanywherewithouthim…Ilostallmyfriends.IcompletelylostwhoIwas.Ihadnopersonality.Ihadnothingbecausehecutmedownanddestroyedmyself-esteem."
—Feelings of shame, decreased self-esteem,
and decreased interest in activities
Karis:"Istartedtoblamemyself."
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Brandon:"Itjustmademeangryallthetime,andIneverreallyhadasmile,andIwasneverhappy."
Yolanda:"Itjusttakesatolloneverything.You'reworriedaboutthisoryou'renotconcentratingonyourworkoryou'renotdoingsomethingrightoryoudon'tperformwellathleticallybecauseofit."
• Think of some examples from the video in which teens (a) needed help but felt that they could not seek it, or (b) attempted to open up to an adult, but did not receive the help that they needed.
Karis:"ItwentonforaboutayearandI
didn't,Ijustcouldn'ttellanyone."
Amber:"Ididn'tknowhowtotellthem,youknow.Idon'ttalktomyparents.I'mnotopenwithmyparents.Wedon'thaveagoodcommunicationthinggoingon."
Yolanda:"SometimesduringclassIwouldjustgooutsideandcryandwonderwhynobodydidn'twanttohelpme."
Brandon:"Iwouldtellsomeoneinbetweentimesbutnoonereallylistened."
•How can you make your outreach and support activities more effective and positive?
Yolanda:"Youwanttobeabletohavethatonepersonreachouttoyouandhelpyouandsay,'ThisiswhatIwanttodo.ThisiswhatIwanttohelpyouwith.'"
Barri:"Ifachildmakesadisclosuretoyou,heorshetrustsyou,soyouneedtoknowhowtorespondinaneffectivemanner.Youshouldlisten.Believethatchild.Askthatchildwhattheyneedtofeelsafe,andaskthemhowyoucanhelpthem."
Yolanda:"IwastalkingtooneofmyEnglishteachers,andshereallyjustrealizedhowmuchthatIgothrough."
•What was the motivation for starting the Threat-Share Committee at Reagan High School? Who participates in the committee meetings, and what purpose does it serve?
PrincipalCorreaputtogetherthe"Threat-ShareCommittee"afterthemurderthattookplaceathisschool.TheCommitteeconsistsofcounselors,administrators,teachers,anddepartmentchairs.Theymeetonceaweekbeforeschoolstartstoshareideasaboutanypossiblestudentthatmaybeatriskorcurrentlyexperiencingviolenceofsomesort.Theyconverseaboutstudentswhosebehavior,dress,orattitudehaschanged,sotheycanthenmeetwiththosestudentstotellthemabouttheSafePlacegroups.
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Collaboration & Partnerships
•How did Reagan High School in Austin, Texas, make use of their community resources in responding to a severe incident of teen victimization?
Followingafatalstabbingofayoungwomanbythevictim'sboyfriend,theprincipalofReaganHighSchoolheldmeetingsandreachedouttotheschool'sstaff,theschooldistrict,andthecommunity-at-largeforsupportandideasforhowtostartaprogramtoaddresstheissue.TheycollaboratedwithSafePlace,whichwasalreadyestablishedinAustin,andarrangedforconfidentialteensupportgroupstobeheldinsidetheschoolsforanyteenwhowantedtotalkaboutvictimization.
• Why is law enforcement an important component of a comprehensive response to teen victims?
Involvinglawenforcementletsteensknowthatthepolicearenotthebadguysandthattheyaretheretohelp.SchoolResourceOfficers(SROs)canbeaveryeffectiveresourcebecausetheyareintheschoolswhereteensareandarewell-informedaboutteenvictimizationissues.Theyalsooftenhaveinformedinteractionswithstudentsandcometobeseenastrustedfiguresintheschoolcommunity.
•What role does Detective Tribble play in the response to teen victims in Westchester?
DetectiveTribblegivespresentationsandconductsworkshopswiththestudentsaboutvictimizationissues.Heencouragesteenstousetheresourcesavailabletothem,suchasaconfidentialvictimserviceshotline.
•How does the Austin Police Department interact with SafePlace?
TheVictimServicesCoordinatorattheAustinPoliceDepartmentmakesmanyvisitstothelocalhighschools.SafePlacealsopartnerswithgroupslikeCommunitiesinSchools,whichinvitesschoolresourceofficestogiveclassroompresentationsonvariousvictimizationissues.
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• Describe the partnerships that you saw in the video. How did they come about? Who are your partners currently? Who else in your community should be involved in this effort?
Bothprogramsshowninthevideodemonstrateeffectivepartnershipswithlocallawenforcement,includingschoolresourceofficers.ThepartnershipthatReaganHighSchoolformedwithSafePlacecameaboutwhentheprincipalwentintothecommunitytolookforagroupthatcouldassisthisstaffandstudentswiththeissuesofviolencethatoccurinschool.InWestchester,schoolscalltheNorthernWestchesterShelter,hometotheSTARprogram,andinviteexpertstocomeinandgivepresentationstothestudents.Inaddition,SafePlaceprovidestrainingandconsultationaboutvictimissuestoagenciesinthecommunitythatserveyouth(e.g.,Extenda-Care,whichprovidesafter-schoolservicesandsummerprogramsforteens;OutYouth,agay,lesbian,andtransgenderedyouthorganization;theBoys&GirlsClubs;theAustinPTA;andCommunitiesinSchools,anonprofitsocialworkagency).
Endnotes1NationalCrimeVictimizationSurvey,BureauofJusticeStatistics,U.S.DepartmentofJustice,2004(datafrom2003).2Ibid.
Additional Resources
National Center for Victims of Crimewww.ncvc.orgTheNationalCenterforVictimsofCrimeisdedicatedtoforginganationalcommitmenttohelpvictimsofcrimerebuildtheirlives.TheNationalCenter'stoll-freeHelpline,1-800-FYI-CALL,offerssupportivecounseling,practicalinformationaboutcrimeandvictimization,andreferralstolocalcommunityresources,aswellasskilledadvocacyinthecriminaljusticeandsocialservicesystems.
TheNationalCenter'sTeen Victim Projectwebsite(www.ncvc.org/tvp)offersteen-friendlyfactsheetsonvariouscrimes,descriptionsofcurrentyouth-ledprograms,andadditionalteen-relatedresources.
This document was prepared by the NationalCenter for Victims of Crime and supported bygrant 2003-CK-WX-K002, awarded by the U.S.Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, andconclusions or recommendations are those of theauthors and do not necessarily represent theofficial position or policies of the U.S. Departmentof Justice.
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Office of Community Oriented Policing Services(COPSOffice)U.S.JusticeDepartment(www.cops.usdoj.gov)ThemissionoftheCOPSOfficeistoadvancecommunitypolicinginjurisdictionsofallsizesacrossthecountry.Communitypolicingrepresentsashiftfrommoretraditionallawenforcementbecauseitfocusesonpreventingcrimeandthefearofcrimeatthelocallevel.Communitypolicingputslawenforcementprofessionalsonthestreetssotheycanbuildmutuallybeneficialrelationshipswiththepeopletheyserve.Byearningthetrustofcommunitymembersandmakingthoseindividualsstakeholdersintheirownsafety,communitypolicingmakeslawenforcementsaferandmoreefficient.TheCOPSOfficeprovidesgrantstotribal,state,andlocallawenforcementagenciestohireandtraincommunitypolicingprofessionals,acquireanddeploycutting-edgecrime-fightingtechnologies,anddevelopandtestinnovativepolicingstrategies.
U.S. Department of JusticeOffice of Community Oriented Policing Services1100 Vermont Avenue, N.W.Washington, DC 20530
To obtain details on COPS programs, call theCOPS Office Response Center at 800.421.6770
