Children’s Exposure to Violence and Crime has Reduced since 2003: Study
The incidence of violence and sexual abuse suffered by American children significantly reduced in the last 10 years, according to a study.
Experts from the University of New Hampshire's Crimes against Children Research Center found that regardless of the countless media coverage of mass shootings at schools and sex crimes the cases of violent acts have drastically dropped.
They studied data from three national telephone interviews of children and parents conducted in 2003, 2008 and 2011 to note the level of exposure to violence and crime activities in those aged between two and 17 years. A total of 50 acts of violence and crimes were identified of which 27 reportedly showed a drop and the remaining acts of crime did not increase throughout the study.
The reports revealed cases of assaults, sexual and emotional abuse decreased by 33, 25 and 26 percent, respectively. Physical intimidation that involves bullying, threatening and verbal abuse had one-third reduction since 2003. But extent of physical abuse and torture suffered by children did not change during the entire period.
Furthermore, the survey noticed the rate at which children witnessed misconduct, destruction of property and other acts of violence also declined. The study authors credited new policies, educational programs and awareness workshops for bringing down the criminal activities in the country. They believe increased use of psychiatric medications for those with behavior and emotional difficulties and technological advancement like use of social media and cell phones curb the chances for direct encounters that leads to violence.
"Cell phones allow people to summon help and escape from dangerous situations. Technology records crime, facilitates identification and prosecution, and so deters it. Young people do more of their risk taking online and at home, and it alleviates boredom, which is a big motivator of delinquency," said David Finkelhor, study author and director at University of New Hampshire, reports the Healthday News.
Despite these improvements a large number of children and youngsters around the world are subject to mistreatment and brutality by peers, parents and strangers. The experts warn children as young as two years old who were not a part of the study are easy targets for sexual predators and violent people.
"I think the declines should push us to look at what in the environment might have been changing to help explain why the declines have been so broad and affected children in so many different kinds of environments," Finkelhor told the Reuters News.
More information is available online in the JAMA Pediatrics.
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