Perspective Chapter: The Assessment of Youth Violence

*Eric Johnson and Tiffany Hollis*

#### **Abstract**

Youth violence is a growing public health phenomenon that plagues communities both nationally and internationally, leading to billions of dollars in costly consequences. Youth violence ranks among the top five causes of death among youth in the United States. The development of violence risk assessment tools that identify at-risk youth measures risk factors that lead to violent behavior. In addition, some risk assessment tools identify risk-reduction interventions used to reduce the risk of future or chronic violence. More recent research has focused on individual differences in risk and resilience factors of youth. Moreover, researchers have identified both gender and ethnic differences in risk and resilience models utilized for risk reduction. However, the development and evolution of risk assessment for future violence among youth should not stagnate, as gender and ethnic differences should be incorporated into revised and new assessment tools. After carefully considering the available research, violence assessments should be refined to include gender and culturally relevant considerations to become a reliable and valid resource that is both gender and culturally inclusive and unbiased.

**Keywords:** youth violence, risk factors, protective factors, ethnic differences, gender differences, assessment measures

#### **1. Introduction**

Youth violence in the United States is a growing public health concern as it affects thousands of young individuals and their victims while also impacting their families, schools, and communities. The CDC defines youth violence as the intentional use of physical force to harm or threaten harm by young individuals between 10 and 24 years of age [1]. Young individuals can become involved in youth violence through perpetration, becoming the victim, or witnessing a violent act. Types of youth violence can include violent threats, fighting, bullying, sexual violence, gang violence, and even threats and physical harm with a deadly weapon. Even though youth violence can vary in type and concentration, it still negatively impacts all communities, including rural, suburban, urban, and even tribal. The CDC reports that \$21 billion annually is spent on medical costs and loss of productivity due to physical assault-related injuries and homicide among youth in the United States. These costs do not include financial burdens on the criminal justice system, losses to victims, families due to psychological and social consequences, and damages to communities [1].
