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ACY Responds
Press coverage of the Ask The Children Youth Violence Study: Listening to
the Children Violence Report
at Odds With Reality ACY Responds Students Don't
Pull Punches - 77.4% of Colorado students are frequently subjected
to verbal and physical abuse by other youngsters at school, according
to a survey of more than 1,000 students from fifth through 12th grade.
Rocky Mountain News 07/30/2002 Colorado Kids
Blame Violence on Intolerance Colorado children blame violence in
their lives on a "culture that celebrates sameness, the one right
way to be "in,' " according to a report issued today in Denver
and Washington, D.C. Denver Post 7/30/2002 |
Re: Rocky Mountain News Editorial "Violence report at odds with reality." August 1, 2002 How "alarmed" do we have to be to be moved to action? In the dialogue for a positive environment for our young people, is there ANY room whatsoever for NOT being alarmed by the incidence of violence in communities? If the Rocky Mountain News doesn't feel that the voices of youth are cause enough to be alarmed and to take action, as referenced in the August 1 editorial, "Violence at odds with reality," then this clearly illustrates the magnitude of the challenge faced by society. The fact that a group of young people can chase and beat animals while adults sit by and do nothing is cause for alarm. The fact that in the space of a month there are at least four reported and publicized abductions of children is cause for alarm - and those are just the ones we know about. The fact that physical abuse in the home or emotional abuse in the school yard occurs on a daily basis is cause for alarm. The fact that many parents aren't engaged enough in their child's life to support them in dealing with life's challenges positively is cause for alarm. That a large segment of our population chooses to look the other way and not be alarmed is cause for alarm. How many more violent acts have to occur before we as a society stand up and do something about it? The report released by The Colorado Trust reflects the voices of our community. They're voices asking for the adults in their lives to pay attention, get involved and help them achieve the potential we all know they possess. That means taking data such as what was reported and convening the community to identify the strategies for how to address them. The challenges are there. They've been studied, analyzed, picked apart and reported on. We've given press to the validity of data. Now what? As a community it is our responsibility to not sit idly by, or quibble about percentages, but to act. It's not just government's problem, but it will take government to champion positive youth development programming and policies. It's not just the teacher's problem, but it will take teachers connecting with parents and community to support youth. It's not just the parent's problem, but it will take parents connecting with their children and other families to educate and encourage youth to reach their dreams. It will take the grocer, the firefighter, the librarian, the pastor and the bus driver to knit the network of support that will not let our young people down and will not allow them to fall through the cracks. Alarmed? Yes, we're alarmed, and it's about time. Now let's do something about it. |
Copyright 2005 Assets for Colorado Youth
