Violence is defined as, “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against another person or against a group that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation”

Youth violence is carried out by young people from as young as ten years old until about 29 years old.

 

According to a World Health Organisation report, an estimated 200 000 youth, globally, are murdered every year and this makes youth violence the fourth leading cause of death in young people throughout the world.

 

In addition to these deaths, millions of young people sustain violence-related injuries and many develop mental health problems and 'at risk' behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, unsafe sex and criminal activities.

Youth violence ​also comes at a great cost to families forcing many to seek legal assistance and iin medical cost.  It also puts a huge burden on the national health care bill, welfare and criminal justice costs.  It interupts productivity and it decreases the value of property in areas where it occurs and it puts a stain on many communities prone to such violence.

Emotionally, youth violence wrecks families and can put strain on relationships.  In short, youth violence is destructive in every way.
 

But youth violence does not “just happen”. It usually has the warning signs, many of which are ignored and it builds up over a period of time.   
 

Some of the factors that influence youth violence include child abuse including child neglect and abandonment, domestic violence, a history of crime in the family, conduct disorder; little or no education as as result of absenteeism from school and early high school drop out, the harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs and bullying.

 

Growing up with poor parental supervision; having experienced harsh and inconsistent discipline by parents and associating with delinquent peers all play a role in youth violence.

There are no winners in youth violence but there are many losses.  Talent is lost, brillance of young people is lost and money spent on education is lost through youth violence.