Children and Violence
In this edition, we examine ways in which we report on children and violence. We travel to the sites of the five recent and highly publicized school shootings, then journey into the private realm of family violence, as seen through the eyes of children who witness it. From there, we move into courtrooms and juvenile detention centers, and also get a glimpse of adolescent girls’ increasing involvement with crime. Then, we take a look at how customary methods of coverage shape public perception and policymaking in the arena of child and juvenile crime. Finally, editors at Chicago’s two newspapers take us inside their decision-making when it comes to coverage of children and violence.
336% = the percentage increase in coverage of homicide on NBC, ABC, and CBS nightly news between 1990 and 1995. During this time, homicide arrests dropped by 13%.
99% = the percent of violent deaths of children that occurred outside of school grounds (1992-94).
90% = the percentage of murdered children under the age of 12 who are killed by adults (1996).
85% = the percentage of communities that recorded no juvenile homicides (1995).
75% = the percentage of murdered youths between the ages of 12-17 who are killed by adults (1996).
Homicides committed by children under the age of 13 occur less frequently today than they did in 1965 (1965, 1996).
31% = the decrease in arrests of children for homicide (1994-1996).
Kids are killed in gun accidents at 23 times the rate they are killed in schools (1995).
4.9% = the percentage of children arrested who were held for a violent or serious act [homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault] (1996).
200,000 – 65,000 = the estimated numbers (high and low) of children passing through adult jails each year (1997).
3,024 = the number of children who died from gunfire (1994).
3,000 = the number of children estimated to be held in the prison population (1998).
2,172 = the number of children arrested for homicide (1996).43 = the number of states which lowered the age by which children can be tried as adults for certain crimes (1992-1995).
43 = the number of states which lowered the age by which children can be tried as adults for certain crimes (1992-1995).
40 = the number of people, including adults, shot and killed in schools (academic year 1997-98) .
11 = the number of children shot and killed in Pearl, Miss.; West Paducah, Ky; Jonesboro, Ark; Edinboro, Penn; and Springfield, Oregon (1997-98).
11 = the number of children who die in two days of family violence at the hands of parents/guardians (1994).
8 = the number of children who die from gunfire every day (1994).
99% = the percent of violent deaths of children that occurred outside of school grounds (1992-94).
90% = the percentage of murdered children under the age of 12 who are killed by adults (1996).
85% = the percentage of communities that recorded no juvenile homicides (1995).
75% = the percentage of murdered youths between the ages of 12-17 who are killed by adults (1996).
Homicides committed by children under the age of 13 occur less frequently today than they did in 1965 (1965, 1996).
31% = the decrease in arrests of children for homicide (1994-1996).
Kids are killed in gun accidents at 23 times the rate they are killed in schools (1995).
4.9% = the percentage of children arrested who were held for a violent or serious act [homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault] (1996).
200,000 – 65,000 = the estimated numbers (high and low) of children passing through adult jails each year (1997).
3,024 = the number of children who died from gunfire (1994).
3,000 = the number of children estimated to be held in the prison population (1998).
2,172 = the number of children arrested for homicide (1996).43 = the number of states which lowered the age by which children can be tried as adults for certain crimes (1992-1995).
43 = the number of states which lowered the age by which children can be tried as adults for certain crimes (1992-1995).
40 = the number of people, including adults, shot and killed in schools (academic year 1997-98) .
11 = the number of children shot and killed in Pearl, Miss.; West Paducah, Ky; Jonesboro, Ark; Edinboro, Penn; and Springfield, Oregon (1997-98).
11 = the number of children who die in two days of family violence at the hands of parents/guardians (1994).
8 = the number of children who die from gunfire every day (1994).
