Violence

eViolence can take many forms: aggression, abuse, intimidation, verbal aggression, etc. In a teen’s life, violence can occur at home, at school or in relationships. Teenagers can be the victims or perpetrators of violence.

The experience of victimization is associated with heavy consumption of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, eating disorders and mental health problems. It can result in loss of self-esteem and other psychological problems, which in turn result in difficulties at school, work and in relationships. (Canadian Council on Social Development. “It’s a Matter of Good Health: Stop Youth Violence,” Vis-à-vis: a national newsletter on family violence, 13 (2) (spring 1996), p. 1, 4.)

Early experiences with violence can create a model that influences the person’s whole life.  A young girl or teenager who is mistreated can internalize her suffering, which can result in self-destructive behaviour, such as self-mutilation or eating disorders. Young boys or teens who are mistreated can externalize their suffering, pushing them to violence toward others. Lots of young people who are violent also engage in self-destructive behaviour, for example, suicide attempts (Lundy, Colleen and Mark Totten. “Youth on the Fault Line,” Social Worker (fall 1997).

Furthermore, unusual violent behaviour in a teenager can signal depression. Excessive irritability is one of the most common signs of depression among young people. This irritability can express itself through intolerance, aggression and violence. Young people suffering from depression can also try to hide their suffering through previously unseen violent behaviour (fighting, running away, stealing, etc.).

Around 100,000 requests for service are made each year in youth centres in Quebec. Of this number, in 2003-2004, almost 60,000 resulted in a report under the Youth Protection Act, and some 29,000 were pursued because there was a concern that the young person’s safety or development could be compromised. (2006-2009 Youth Action Strategy ©, Secrétariat à la jeunesse, Government of Quebec, 2006)

Every year, around 20,000 young people receive services under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. (2006-2009 Youth Action Strategy ©, Secrétariat à la jeunesse, Government of Quebec, 2006)

Dating violence

There are many myths about the normalcy of violent behaviour in love relationships (jealousy, sexual and psychological harassment, coercion), and statistics show that further education work is needed to equip young people so that they can develop respectful, equal relationships.

Among women, being a victim of physical or sexual violence at the hands of a man she is dating results in an increased risk for the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, unhealthy behaviour related to weight, risky sexual behaviour, pregnancy and suicidal behaviour. (Jay G. Silverman, Anita Raj, Lorelei A. Mucci, Jeanne E. Hathaway. “Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behaviour, Pregnancy and Suicidality” JAMA 286, 5. JAMA 286, 5 (August 1, 2001), p. 572 to 579)

Studies show that violence in dating can affect anyone, no matter their age, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic situation or place of residence. It occurs both in relationships among teenagers and among adults. A study in New Brunswick showed that violence in dating can start as young as 13. (E. L. Price et al., Dating Violence Among New Brunswick Adolescents: A Summary of Two Studies (Fredericton: Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, 2001)

Dating violence can do major emotional harm to the men and women who are victims. This can manifest itself through depression, anxiety, feelings of sadness and desperation and suicide ideation or attempts. (D.A. Wolfe et al., “Child Maltreatment: Risk of Adjustment Problems and Dating Violence in Adolescence.” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 40, 3 (2001): 282-289)


Useful links

Deal.org
www.deal.org/content/index.php?lang=en
e-mail: deal-choix@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Government of Canada
An initiative against domestic violence.
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/initiative_e.html