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This study examined anxiety as a mediator on the relation between exposure to violence and victimization mediated by gender. The sample consisted of 1,311 seventh graders attending 8 middle schools in a small southern city. Gender was found to be a significant moderator for the relation of exposure to violence and victimization; therefore, subsequent analyses were conducted separately for males and females. Differences were noted on measures of anxiety, exposure to violence, and victimization, with males reporting more exposure to violence and victimization, but less anxiety for females. For both males and females, anxiety was found to be a partial mediator for the relation of exposure to violence and victimization. Implications of these findings are discussed. (Contains 5 tables and 47 references.) (Author/SLD)

This study examined the incidences of bullying behaviors among male and female 9th and 10th graders in rural Nebraska and suburban Texas schools. Nebraska students were predominantly Caucasion, and Texas students were African American, Hispanic American, and Caucasion. Student surveys examined such issues as how often bullying occurred, where it occurred, what it was like, who students told, and how concerned students believed their teachers and administrators were about bullying. Results indicated that bullying was a very real part of students' lives. More than 80 percent of students observed some type of bullying at least some time in their school. Nearly one-third of girls and 20 percent of boys observed bullying often. Most of the bullying involved hurtful teasing and painful name calling. When boys were bullied, there was more physical violence. Both sexes reported being threatened with harm more than 26 percent of the time when bullied. Bullying was most likely to happen during class, lunch, and extracurricular events. Students occasionally told someone about it, generally a family member or friend. Students did not tell school faculty about the bullying and did not perceive that school faculty were interested in trying to stop bullying. (Contains 43 references.) (SM)

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention published an action plan in 1996 that established eight objectives as the foundation for innovative and effective action by federal, state, and local governments, in partnership with private sector organizations, to reduce juvenile violence and victimization. This bulletin summarizes the accomplishments of council member agencies in meeting one of the Action Plan's eight objectives and numerous related action steps. It focuses on objective five, breaking the cycle of violence by addressing youth victimization, abuse, and neglect. Following the organization of the Action Plan, Section 1 presents recent data on juvenile victimization and compares it with data in the Action Plan. Section 2 discusses victimization trends. Section 3 discusses effective and promising strategies and programs. Section 4 provides updated information on federal programs since 1996. Lists of sources of additional information are included. (Contains 22 references.) (JDM)

Though the media depicts U.S. youth as more criminally prone than they actually are and highlights school shootings, schools are still one of the safest places for youth to be. This policy brief adds perspective to punitive school policies (e.g., zero tolerance policies that require suspension or expulsion) in the face of stable or declining rates of youthful offending in schools. In order to compare rates of school assaults with rates of suspension and expulsion, researchers analyzed the latest available government data for both indexes. From 1976-98, nearly 95 percent of students reported they had not been injured with a weapon at or near school in the past 12 months. Despite relatively stable rates of student victimization over the 23 years, suspensions and expulsions have nearly doubled. The increase seems to have little to do with reported victimization and does not appear to have affected reported victimization markedly. Other research indicates that suspended students often find themselves bereft of any form of education. There are racial disparities in student suspensions, particularly with respect to black makes. Students suspended from school are much more likely to engage in physical fights, carry a weapon, smoke, use alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. (SM)

More than two decades of research have pointed to the connection between childhood maltreatment and delinquency. In addition, recent research confirms that harm is inflicted on children who are subjected to family and community violence. The Child Protection Division was created in an effort to bring child protection to the forefront and to prevent delinquency. The mission of the Child Protection Division is to safeguard children by supporting research and programs on child victimization and their exposure to violence. This bulletin provides information, training, and technical assistance to state, local, and community-based agencies. It discusses the rationale for their work in areas of missing and exploited children and child maltreatment. Some examples of program initiatives include: Safe Start to reduce the impact of family violence on young children; Safe Kids/Safe Streets to reduce child abuse and neglect; Parents Anonymous to strengthen the family through self-help programs; Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program to investigate child sexual exploitation; and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to assist law enforcement agencies in their search for missing children. A list of references is provided on new and ongoing projects, initiatives, and funding opportunities. (JDM)

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Turkey and observations regarding violence against girls in Turkey. The report is presented in three major parts. Part 1 asserts that despite the considerable legal framework for protecting children's rights, there is adequate proof that there are serious deficiencies in Turkey's system of child protection. Observations and recommendations are made in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; and (3) children in conflict with the law. This part concludes with recommendations related to the discrimination of Kurdish children and girls, treatment of refugee children, torture, and the juvenile justice system. Part 2 focuses on violence against girls in Turkey. This second part details problems related to domestic violence, marital rape, crimes committed against females in the name of "honor," virginity testing, sexual violence, prostitution and trafficking in girls, and state-perpetrated violence against girls. This part concludes with recommendations related to each of the problems discussed. Part 3 provides a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Turkey, including those related to difficulties in implementation the Convention; civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures. (KB)

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The report's introductory summary asserts that although the DRC has ratified the Convention and other international instruments condemning the practice of torture, torture seems to be systematically used in the DRC. The report notes that the current conflict in the DRC has resulted in large numbers of children being recruited/forced into armed service, killed, or displaced. Considerable discrimination is evident against girls, displaced children, refugee children, child soldiers, street children, and ethnic minority children. The report presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (3) protection against all forms of violence, particularly sexual abuse; (4) children in conflict with the law; and (5) rehabilitation. The report's conclusion maintains that the state's report demonstrates its awareness of obstacles to applying the Convention, but has omitted important information, especially concerning ill-treatment and cases of torture. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Democratic Republic of the Congo, including those related to legislation; budget allocation; cooperation with nongovernmental organizations; civil rights and freedom; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection. (Contains 61 footnotes.) (KB)

This report to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention by Guatemala. The report's introductory summary asserts that the end of armed conflict in Guatemala and the establishment of a peace process coupled with other government regulations has led to conditions in which it may be possible to strengthen legal instruments for protecting human rights and improve living conditions for Guatemalan children. The report presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) child prostitution and child trafficking; (3) torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (4) street children; and (5) children in conflict with the law. The report's conclusion maintains that although Guatemala has made efforts to protect children's rights, those efforts are not as effective as they could have been had the entry into force of the Code on Children and Young People not been continually postponed. The OMCT expressed concern about the increase in the prostitution of girls and the lack of government effort to combat the trade as well as the high rate of illegal adoptions. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Guatemala, in the following areas: civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; special protection measures; and dissemination of documents from the reporting process. (Contains 54 footnotes.) (KB)

This report to the United Nations (U.N.) Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by Burundi. The report is presented in seven parts. Part 1 outlines preliminary observations regarding Burundi's ratification of the Convention, noting that the government omitted important information in their report to the Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Part 2 presents general observations on the situation of children in Burundi, asserting that torture seems to be a systematic practice within the country, with evidence for violations of children's rights by rebel forces, the police and armed forces, and by family members. Part 3 of the report provides definitions of "child." Part 4 details protections against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, including the definition of torture in international law and Burundi's legal framework. Part 5 concerns children in conflict with the law, presenting information on the age of penal responsibility, policy custody, and procedures related to the death penalty, life imprisonment, children's complaints, independence of the judiciary, validity of confessions obtained under torture, detention with adults, and medical examinations during detention. Part 6 of the report notes concern with ethnic tensions in Burundi between the Hutu and Tutsi, and describes refugee camp and regroupment sites. Following OMTC conclusions, the report presents a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Burundi, in the following areas: positive aspects, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (KB)

A study was designed to identify the potential contributory effects of different social information perspectives on the stability of bully and victim social roles and the interrelationships of three behavioral indices of bully and victim behavior. Students (N=120) from grades 5 and 6 completed behavioral indices of bully and victim behavior. Seventeen classes from four different schools in predominately Caucasian, low-to-moderate economic status neighbors participated. The interrelationship among the victim behavior indices supported the notion that victimized children tended to both recognize how they were perceived by others and agreed with the perceptions of their peer group, yet disagreed with the characterization. Additional descriptive information is provided, including a measure of children's perceived peer perspective and the clinical implications of using all three behavioral indices. (Contains 31 references and 4 tables.) (JDM)

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent child victimization and the likelihood that children living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to children ages 0 to 12 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (a focus on early intervention and models of prevention: transforming knowledge into action); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (key challenges and optimal points of intervention); (5) "Guiding Principles" (e.g., focus on children and families living in conditions of multiple risk and engage children and families in the process); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (foster community action and promote conditions that will prevent childhood victimization and early onset of criminal behavior); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, comprehensive strategies and models, tools and resource development, and research and knowledge development); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendixes present data on crime prevention and childhood experiences, situations, and potential adverse consequences, and factors that contribute to positive outcomes for children and youth. (SM)

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent youth victimization and the likelihood that youth living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to youth ages 12 to 18 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (a focus on early intervention and models of prevention: transforming knowledge into action); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (interplay among risk factors at individual, family, and community levels; key challenges; and optimal points of intervention); (5) "Guiding Principles" (e.g., focus on youth and families living in conditions of multiple risk and engage youth and their support systems in the process); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (foster community action, promote conditions that will prevent youth victimization, and the probability of current or later life criminal behavior); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, comprehensive strategies and models, tools and resource development, and research and knowledge development); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendixes present data on crime prevention and childhood experiences, situations, and potential adverse consequences; factors that contribute to positive outcomes for children and youth; and the funding focus. (SM)

This document presents a policy framework for improving the personal security of women and girls. The document includes: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy Background" (the concept of personal security, the societal context of women's personal security, consequences of violence for women and girls, long-term policy concern, and building an integrated policy response); (3) "The Role of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention in Addressing the Personal Security Issues of Women and Girls"; (4) "Key Policy Concerns" (the current situation and personal security for girls and women); (5) "Proposed Guiding Principles" (e.g., integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of the strategy, involve women and girls in the process, and strengthen collaboration across disciplines and sectors); (6) "Goals and Objectives" (e.g., identify and reduce the range of conditions undermining the personal security of women and girls); (7) "Components" (public awareness and education, prevention/intervention project demonstration and evaluations, model development, research and knowledge development, tools and resource development, and the role of the business community); and (8) "Funding Overview." Two appendices present information on risk factors and consequences and funding priorities. (SM)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the nation of South Africa. Noting that the Convention is the only "mainstream" human rights instrument that explicitly states the rights apply equally to female and male children, the report first provides observations and recommendations concerning violence against girls in South Africa. General observations in this area indicate that despite Government efforts at the legislative, policy, and awareness levels, there remain, both in law and practice, discrimination against girls and conflict between the constitution and religious and customary laws which perpetuate harmful practices against girls. This section then examines: violence against girls in the family, including early marriages, bride prices, genital mutilation, and virginity testing; violence against women in the community, specifically rape, and trafficking and prostitution; and violence perpetrated by the state, noting emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of children in residential facilities such as prisons. The remainder of the report examines application of the U.N. Convention. The introduction for this section notes the new constitution and several human rights treaties signed by South Africa. The section then notes the discrepancies among these treaties and between common law and customary rulings with regard to the definition of the child. Constitutional and legislative provisions are then noted in the areas of: child protection against all forms of discrimination; best interests of the child; right to participation; freedom from torture, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment; deprivation of liberty; sexual exploitation and abuse; child labor; refugees and asylum seeker children; and children in conflict with the law. The concluding section notes that while the government of South Africa has adopted several measures and introduced a number of amendments to fit domestic legislation to the U.N. Convention, there are still many gaps and contradictions at the legislative level, and several problems have arisen from the economic and social conditions of the country. Specific recommendations are offered. (HTH)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the nation of Costa Rica. The report's introduction notes that in addition to ratifying the Convention, Costa Rica's constitution has several provisions aimed at giving special protection to children, and there is now a Children's Ombudsman within the office of the People's Ombudsman. However, the Costa Rican legislation still contains loopholes which could impede effective protection of children's rights, and Costa Rican authorities have failed to supply the OMCT information concerning conditions in which children are detained, programs of rehabilitation for those children, protection of children against ill-treatment and torture, and penalties applied to officials or agents of the State responsible for violations perpetrated against children. The report next presents recommendations in these areas: (1) criminal responsibility of the child; (2) right to be heard in any procedure; (3) sanctions applied to children; (4) definition and prohibition of torture-protection measures; (5) prosecution of those responsible for torture and physical ill-treatment of children; (6) protection during detention; and (7) sanctions in case of arbitrary arrest or detention. The report then provides concluding observations and recommendations, including follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State party, factors and difficulties impeding further progress in implementation of the Convention; and principal subjects of concern and committee recommendations in areas including legislation and institutional reform, coordination and monitoring, civil rights and freedoms, family environment and alternative care, basic health and welfare, and education, leisure, and cultural activities. (HTH)

This bulletin addresses the issue of reporting crimes against juveniles, describing findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey, which gathers information from citizens on crime, including whether and how they are reported. The survey also collects information about characteristics of victimizations, the nature of the incident location, and the incident itself. This analysis discusses the information gathered on juvenile and adult reporting of sexual assaults and thefts. Results indicate that crimes involving juveniles are under-reported in absolute terms and in comparison with adults. This is not explained by the victimization of juveniles being less serious or by the tendency of juveniles to report crimes to school authorities rather than police. Under-reporting is evident even for the most serious offenses. This is partly because juvenile victims are more likely to be victimized by other juveniles, and crimes committed by juveniles are less likely to be reported. Juveniles were more likely than adults to discount their violent victimizations as minor or kid stuff. Juveniles were no more likely than adults to say that they thought the police would not take the incident seriously, nor were they more likely than adults to say that they were afraid of reprisals. Implications are discussed. (SM)

Noting that although many Western educators praise the Japanese educational system because of its students' academic achievements, schools in Japan have developed severe and prevalent problems with student bullying. This paper examines the problem of bullying in Japanese schools. Part 1 of the paper reviews bullying incidents in Japanese schools from the mid-1980s to the present time. Part 2 delineates three types of bullying that are common in Japan: (1) psychological; (2) physical; and (3) violent. Part 3 outlines features differentiating contemporary bullying and bullying in previous eras, including current "invisible" methods of bullying, bullying by a majority of the class, the disappearance of "brakes" on bullying incidents, and contemporary difficulties in distinguishing teasing and joking from bullying. Part 4 examines four main explanations for bullying in Japanese schools, explanations from the perspective of society, school, family, and children. Part 5 discusses the measures taken by the Ministry of Education regarding bullying and argues that such measures have been ineffective and have resulted in bullying becoming more insidious and invisible to adults in the victim's life. Part 6 presents recommendations for resolving bullying problems in Japanese schools, includes an example of a successful intervention in a Tokyo junior high school, and describes Norwegian anti-bullying programs. The paper concludes by noting that bullying is an urgent problem and that the school system needs to identify concrete and unique school-wide anti-bullying intervention programs specific to Japanese schools. Contains 26 references. (KB)

This study explored the link between parenting style and different types of bullying behaviors. Data were collected from 196 students from 4 schools in London. The mean age of the subjects was 9 years, and the children were of various ethnic origins. Children were asked to nominate whether their peers took part in any of 20 difference types of behaviors related to 6 participant roles: (1) bully; (2) reinforcer; (3) assistant; (4) defender; (5) outsider; and (6) victim. Children were assigned a category based on their highest peer nomination. Children also completed a questionnaire to assess their perception of their parents' parenting style with regard to warmth, accurate monitoring, overprotection, punitiveness, and neglect. A subsample of 39 parents completed a questionnaire measuring parental warmth and restrictiveness. The findings revealed that 27 of the subjects were nominated as bullies, 15 were reinforcer bullies, 12 were assistant bullies, 86 were defenders of the victim, and 35 were victims. Reinforcer bullies scored significantly low on perceived parental warmth. Assistant bullies scored significantly high on perceived parental neglect. Victims scored significantly high on perceived punitiveness. Children nominated as reinforcer bullies also scored significantly high on perceived punitive parenting. Parents viewed themselves as significantly more warm than their children did. Parents of children nominated in the outsider role saw themselves as significantly more nurturant than parents of children in other roles. Parents of victims saw themselves as more restrictive than did parents of children in other roles. (Contains 13 references.) (KB)

This study examined the prevalence of bullying and victimization among Canadian school children. Using a questionnaire developed by Olweus, the study surveyed 4,743 children in grades 1 through 8. Six percent of children acknowledged bullying others "more than once or twice" in the preceding 6 weeks, and 15 percent of children reported they had been victimized at the same rate. Very few (2 percent) reported being both bullies and victims. Fourteen percent of children reported being bullied because of their race. There were significant developmental differences. With increasing age, there was an increase in the tendency to join in bullying, a decrease in willingness to help a victim, and a decrease in reports of peers assisting victims. Bullies were more likely to be known to teachers, and victims were more likely to be known to parents. The findings pose implications for intervention efforts to reduce bullying in schools. (Contains 11 references.) (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by Algeria. The report's introduction asserts that although OMCT welcomes legislative and institutional efforts made by Algeria since 1992 to carry out its obligations under the Convention, many efforts thus far are insufficient or contradictory. The report then contains observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of the child; (2) penal responsibility of the child; (3) the right to be heard in any procedure; (4) competent jurisdiction; (5) sanctions applied to children; (6) death penalty and life imprisonment; (7) definition and prohibition of torture; (8) protection during police custody; (9) medical examination during police custody; (10) sanctions in case of arbitrary arrest or detention; (11) validity of confessions obtained under torture; (12) prosecution of those responsible for torture; (13) sanctions for those who torture children; (14) sanctions of other offenses against children; (15) discrimination regarding children; and (16) minorities or native groups. Following its own conclusions, the report includes a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Algeria, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Republic of Ghana. The report's introduction asserts that although OMCT welcomes the measures taken by the Ghanian authorities in order to bring national legislation and policy into line with the Convention, as well as the self-critical attitude adopted by Ghana's own report on its progress, OMCT regrets that Ghana's report deals only very briefly with certain of the main objectives incumbent upon the government and certain major violations affecting the rights of the child. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) age of criminal responsibility; (3) protection against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments (penalties not proportionate to the gravity of the crimes committed against children, annihilation of criminal responsibility in certain circumstances, existence of discrimination based on the age and sex of minors); and (4) children in conflict with the law. Following its own conclusions, the report includes a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Ghana, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

Although school violence is an important topic to the U.S. public, little research has examined issues of violence and bad behavior in schools, particularly among early adolescents. To fill this need, research on the transition from elementary to middle grades, to include the domain of violence, is covered in this paper. Three aspects of violence are defined: victimization at school, getting into trouble for bad behavior at school, and perceptions of school as having serious problems. Special emphasis was placed on studying predictors of violence during early adolescence. Drawing on data from a national educational longitudinal study, it was found that students reported being victimized and perceived their school as having serious problems more often in school when the transitions from elementary to the current eighth-grade school occurred during early adolescence. Students who made the transition into their current eighth-grade school during grades 3, 4, or 5 were less likely to report being victimized and were less likely to report perceiving their schools as dangerous or as having problems when compared to other students. It is thought that schools with certain grade structures tend to engage in practices that are incompatible with the developmental needs of early adolescents. Contains approximately 70 references. (RJM)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the nation of Ethiopia. The report's introduction asserts that despite the considerable lip service being paid by Ethiopia's government to children's rights, OMCT is concerned that the needs of the Ethiopian child with regard to gross violations of human rights are being overlooked. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) the age of criminal responsibility; (2) torture, ill treatment, or other cruel or degrading treatment: the absence of protection; (3) draft legislation concerning torture; (4) current legislation concerning torture; (5) the right to redress; (6) corporal punishment as a punitive measure; (7) physical chastisement in institutions; (8) general protection from violence for children; (9) children in conflict with the law; (10) extensive discretionary powers of arrest; (11) arrest procedure; (12) further special powers of detention; (13) pre-trial detention; (14) the right to legal representation; (15) separation from adults in detention; (16) regular medical examinations; (17) heavy sentencing; and (18) solitary confinement. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Ethiopia, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Federation of Nigeria. The report's introduction asserts that the rule by decree of Nigeria's present military regime has serious implications for human rights, and that the most fundamental recommendation of any report seeking to further the interests of the rights of Nigerian children must be a return to democratic civilian rule. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) the definition of a child; (2) criminal responsibility; (3) the practice of torture; (4) the use of corporal punishment as a punitive measure; (5) physical chastisement of the child in the home; (6) punishment on a gender discriminatory basis; (7) death penalty and life imprisonment; (8) summary execution; (9) arrest and detention; (10) special arbitrary detention measures; (11) detention in prison; (12) children in need of protection outside the familial environment; (13) administration of juvenile justice; and (14) de facto conditions for "Almajiris," a practice which consists of parents entrusting their children to strangers for religious teaching (these strangers then force the children to be beggars.) The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Nigeria, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Republic of Guatemala. The report's introductory summary asserts that although Guatemala has begun to undertake institutional and legislative efforts to fulfill its obligations under the Convention, reality still presents a grim picture for Guatemalan children. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) definition of a child; (2) the right not to be subjected to torture; (3) children in conflict with the law; (4) children in situations of emergency; and (5) economic exploitation of children. The report's conclusion asserts that Guatemala's new legislation alone is insufficient in tackling the many problems of Guatemalan children, and that the rights of children in conflict with the law and in extreme poverty or hazardous conditions are continuing areas of concern. Cases of ill-treatment and miscarriage of justice against street children are included. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Guatemala, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The report's introduction points out that although OMCT welcomes Yugoslavia's efforts in keeping with the Convention, issues of concern remain, particularly the scarcity of information concerning the multiethnic nature of the Republic, and the inclusion of Serbia and Montenegro but not Kosovo and Voivodina. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) non-discrimination; (2) protection against ill-treatment; and (3) children in conflict with the law. The report's conclusion includes an assertion that OMCT feels grave concern for the situation of children in Yugoslavia in general and particularly for those belonging to a minority coming under a policy of discrimination. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) in the following areas: factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Republic of Senegal. Part 1 of the report, "Preliminary Observations," discusses Senegal's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its participation in other international instruments relating to human rights which condemn the practice of torture. Part 2, "General Observations," discusses in detail Senegal's legislation regarding torture and crimes against children and points out perceived inadequacies in policy and practice. Part 3, "Children in Conflict with the Law," details Senegal's Penal Code with regard to minors, pointing out areas for improvement. Part 4, "Conclusions," asserts that the International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture laments the excessively condensed manner in which Senegal addressed torture and cruel, inhuman punishment in its reporting on article 37 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child. This section also includes various recommendations and lists areas of concern regarding compliance with the Convention. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Senegal, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

This report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child contains observations of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) concerning the application of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child by the country of Nepal. The report's introductory summary asserts that although the Nepal government's passage of the Act to Provide for Safeguarding the Interests of Children 1992 is an improvement on past legislation, OMCT is very concerned that very little of this act has actually come into force. The report then presents observations and recommendations in the following areas: (1) current legislative and de facto problems with the "chastisement" of children; (2) current problems with legislation and practice of torture; (3) concern for the treatment of mentally disturbed children; (4) practice and legislation concerning rape and the girl child; (5) serious problems concerning children in the laws to protect forests; (6) children in detention and prison; (7) concerns over sanctions against child offenders; (8) Tibetan refugees; and (9) child soldiers. The report concludes with a summary of observations and recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child--Nepal, in the following areas: positive factors, factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the convention, principal subjects of concern, and suggestions and recommendations. (EV)

A study funded by the National Institute of Justice finds that one in five inner-city students surveyed (one in three males) had been shot at, stabbed, or otherwise injured with a weapon at or in transit to or from school in the past few years. Dangers of the environment outside the school were more obviously related to the rate of adolescent victimization (weapon-related victimization) than the environment inside the school. Findings from the study were derived from responses to surveys completed by 1,591 students (758 males and 833 females) in 10 inner-city public high schools in California, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Illinois. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed were African American, 16 percent were Hispanic, 2 percent were White. Victimization did not differ significantly across racial and ethnic lines, but was more frequent for males. Efforts to increase school safety are needed, but, in fact, reduction in the overall level of student violence will follow only after external conditions promoting violence are addressed. Three tables summarize survey findings. (Contains 15 references.) (SLD)

The magnitude of crime, violence, victimization, and associated disruption in the urban schools of the United States severely impairs the educational process and the normal psychological development of many students. The problems of urban schools result from the problems of the larger community, but the community also holds the solutions to violence and traumatic stress. Increased cooperation between the school and the community can be implemented through a variety of channels. Community and parent involvement in various forms is critical to violence prevention. Professional development for teachers can prepare them to address violence and the consequences of urban stress with their students while creating an educational environment that fosters conflict resolution. Any approach to the complex phenomenon of urban violence, victimization, and traumatic stress must be systemic. Enhancing psychological services, ensuring adequate nutrition, and providing a safe and caring environment will contribute to closing the achievement gap and relieving the effects of urban problems. (Contains 42 references.) (SLD)

This suggested blueprint for actions to promote academic and personal success for the African American male student begins with an analysis of cultural factors in the lives of these students, starting with family structure. The shortage of positive African American male role models, the perceptions of societal racism and victimization, and the existing African American male subculture work against academic achievement. To counter these forces, the blueprint recommends: (1) high but realistic expectations; (2) parent and family involvement; (3) parent centers; (4) emphasis on the whole child; (5) building self-esteem; (6) cooperative learning; (7) cross-age and peer tutoring; (8) learning-styles instruction; (9) prevention and assessment of chilly classroom environments; (10) integration of African American males into class activities; and (11) enrichment of the classroom with African American male role models. (Contains 38 references.) (SLD)

It is critical that colleges and universities play a leading role in preparing students to function effectively in the more pluralistic society that is developing. This task can be accomplished by updating curriculum to be more responsive to diversity issues. One such effort to infuse multiculturalism into theory and practice in the counseling pedagogy is a graduate-level course at Millersville University (Pennsylvania), "Multicultural Counseling." In implementing this course, it became apparent that students were able to comprehend and absorb the underlying theory, but that they had difficulty grasping many issues associated with race relations and cultural differences. To enhance student understanding, simulations were introduced to encourage students to examine their own perspectives. One simulation was the BAFA BAFA simulation, an experience in cross-cultural immersion, and another was the Drawbridge exercise, which allows the student to journey in a previous time period to explore issues of race, victim blaming, and individual responsibility. The use of simulations was found to be an excellent technique to stimulate dialogue and thinking about cultural differences and multiculturalism. (Contains 18 references.) (SLD)

The goal of this study was to investigate the social-cognitive functioning of aggressive and victimized elementary school children. A total of 149 fourth- through seventh-graders responded to a peer nomination inventory designed to assess children's tendencies toward aggression and victimization. Self-report questionnaires were then administered to assess: (1) outcome expectancies for aggressive behavior; (2) outcome values for aggressive behavior; and (3) self-perceived efficacy for emotional regulation of fear, anger, and euphoria. The findings indicated that aggressive children expected aggression to result in control over their victims, did not expect retaliation from their victims, and did not care whether their victims retaliated or not. Victimized children were more likely to expect retaliation for aggression. Aggressive children reported more difficulty regulating angry emotional reactions than did nonaggressive children. (MDM)