Social Workers Strive to Prevent Youth Violence

NASW recognizes National Youth Violence Prevention Week

Washington – In schools and in communities, social workers understand the complicated lives of today’s youth and can provide constructive alternatives to youth violence.  Effective youth development supports provided by social workers are designed to reduce exposure to risk factors like violence and abuse.

In an effort to bring awareness to this important issue, the National Association of Social Workers is partnering with National Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) to promote National Youth Violence Prevention Week, celebrated April 3-7, 2006.

Each day of the observance week highlights areas of specific violence prevention strategy, including promoting respect and tolerance, managing your anger, resolving conflicts peacefully, supporting safety and uniting in action.

A recent study release by NASW’s Center for Workforce Studies notes that problems for youth have significantly escalated in intensity, particularly in the area of youth violence.  For example, social workers in metropolitan areas noted that more than half of their cases had problems with family functioning, mental health conditions and school problems.

“While youth violence knows no geographic or socioeconomic boundaries, social workers have the unique skills to look at the psychosocial factors that cause a child to become violent,” says Mark Mattaini, DSW, ACSW, author of Peace Power for Adolescents.  “With the assistance of a social worker, youth violence can be reduced or prevented.”

To find out more about social work and youth development, visit http://www.helpstartshere.org/kids_and_family/youth_development/default.html.

To find our more about National Youth Violence Prevention Week, visit http://www.violencepreventionweek.org/.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.