Beyond Suppression

This examination of youth violence provides readers with insights from international experts and real-life examples of how nations and communities around the world have successfully dealt with the issue.The magnitude of the problem of youth violence in nations throughout the world is shocking. What is encouraging is that strategies to combat this issue do appear to work. For example, community-based restorative justice programs in Northern Ireland reduced retaliatory strikes by paramilitary youth groups by 75 percent, and research trials of policy and intervention strategies, such as parent training and early childhood education, have been shown to significantly reduce youth violence.This text offers a comprehensive overview of youth violence, including background information that defines the problem internationally, a conceptual framework for understanding approaches to youth violence, examinations of multiple case studies, and examples of prevention programs. The final section presents conclusions and suggested strategies for dealing with interpersonal violence and recommendations for future policy.Contains contributions from over 20 international experts describing measures to address youth violence within the political, social, cultural, and economic contexts of their environments12 case studies illustrate the various conceptual and programmatic approaches for understanding, preventing, and reducing youth violence in various countriesOver 50 citations of seminal research and programmatic works in the areas of public health, restorative justice, and resilience-based approaches to youth violence

“The text reaffirms the conflicting and often counterproductive perspectives taken by various countries and the history of their failed efforts. Such a legacy of disappointment self-promotes this work and offers the promise of refreshed and inspired new alignment to address this worldwide phenomenon. Suitable as the foundation or companion reader of any related advanced undergraduate or graduate course. Summing Up: Highly recommended.” - Choice

Joan Serra Hoffman, PhD, is a consultant to international organizations including the Inter-American Bank, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, and USAID. Lyndee Knox, PhD, is CEO of LA Net, a community-based organization that supports not-for-profit groups working in low income communities. Robert Cohen, PhD, is professor and vice chair in the department of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.