Youth gangs are not a new phenomena in the United States; however, in the past decade the number of gang members has increased dramatically. Gang prevention-intervention programs are a necessary part of every school's curriculum. Students join gangs for a variety of reasons ranging from boredom to intent on criminal behavior. One characteristic…

This document contains testimony and prepared statements from the Congress presented at a hearing on family violence. Statements are given from an executive involved in a television special about incest, a victim of abuse, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and representatives from a victim witness program, the United Way, the National Conference of…

Reports on the impact of the Minneapolis (Minnesota) Police Experiment, which indicated that a policy of mandatory or presumptive arrest was a deterrent to domestic violence. Discusses how police departments began to adopt this approach. Recommends that arrest be one of several control methods used in domestic violence cases. (CFR)

Hurricane Katrina resulted in a disaster of proportions not previously known in the United States. The traumatic experiences of children and families during Hurricane Katrina, the flooding that resulted from the breach of the levees, the evacuation, and the aftermath are unprecedented. In responding to the enormous mental health needs of children…

Attributes rising crime rates in rural areas to increase in incomplete or broken families, instead of factors such as poverty, race, or population growth. Discusses differences in types of crimes in urban and rural areas, characteristics of high crime counties, family structure and crime rates, and crime and population growth. (LFL)

This document reviews the problem of family violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. The role of the Justice System is outlined with recommendations for law enforcement, for prosecutors, and for judges. Needs and recommendations for victim assistance are discussed, as are the issues of prevention and awareness, education and…

This report presents information on homeless children in the United States to gain the attention of policymakers and the media. Information comes from years of rigorous scientific research. The report presents both findings and solutions, including concrete steps to secure food, shelter, health care, and schooling to help homeless children and…

Reports on a study of 110 Detroit (Michigan) domestic assault cases to determine whether victim preference about arrest of the assailant had an impact on police behavior and the recurrence of violence. Finds that mandatory arrest policies reduces police discretion and ignores victim preference. (CFR)

The House select committee met to hear testimony from parents, children, service providers, and researchers concerning the effects of job and income loss on families in central Illinois. The testimony of the first panel consisted of personal narratives. A high school student whose parents may move the family in order to find better paying jobs…

The Senate Select Committee met in Macon, Georgia, to hear testimony of 15 individuals concerning various aspects of the problems facing children and families in the rural South. Dale Lick of Georgia Southern College pointed out that the rural South falls behind the rest of the country in health care, education, and overall quality of life. Donald…

The last in a series of five regional information-gathering hearings, this hearing report presents testimony from concerned citizens and private and public social organizations in California, New Mexico, and Arizona. Information and statistics are given on the following social problems: (1) child sexual abuse and child pornography; (2) infant…

The first in a series of five regional fact-gathering committee hearings, this hearing report includes testimony from private and public social agencies in New York, New Jersey, Maine, Massachussetts, and Connecticut. Information and statistics are presented on a wide variety of social problems, including (1) family violence; (2) family planning…

Five years after the massive overhaul of the nation's welfare system, 21 Maine families receiving public assistance spoke about their lives during welfare reform. The following were among the key themes that emerged throughout the conversations: (1) those leaving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) often remain poor or very nearly poor;…