teen court violence conference report

Second Annual

Youth Speaking Out Against Violence Conference:Creating Solutions for Change

Workshop Report and Student Recommendations

May/June 2009

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TEEN COURT2ND Annual

Youth Speaking Out Against Violence Conference:Creating Solutions for Change

On May 18, 2009, Miami-Dade County Teen Court held its second annual “Youth Speaking Out Against Violence Conference: Creating Solutions for Change” at the Hilton Downtown in Miami, Florida. The annual conference has become part of the ongoing mission of Miami-Dade County Teen Court (M-DCTC) to educate students about current critical issues in our society and provide a forum for students to explore positive behaviors and decision making that contribute to successful futures. The focus of this year’s conference was to increase awareness on violence in schools, neighborhoods and the community and its impact on young people and their future.

In addition to the keynote speaker and facilitator that addressed key topics and issues, the conference afforded students an opportunity to interact about the challenges of combating violence and crime and provided solutions through an exciting action oriented curriculum at eight workshop sessions along with student presentations during the wrap up session. This interactive approach also provided a mechanism for students to exercise their decision making techniques and improve their leadership skills which will help them function effectively in adult society.

Three-Hundred and Fifty (350) Miami-Dade County Public School Students attended the conference from Miami Carol City, Miami Edison, South Dade, Miami Jackson, North Miami, Booker T. Washington, Miami Norland and Northwestern Senior High Schools, as well as Country Club Middle school.

The morning address was delivered by Detective David Bates, Miami-Dade Police Department who provided information about gun violence in the United States, meanwhile the luncheon keynote address was presented by Kionne McGhee, Esq., Assistant State Attorney, and author. He inspired the participants with his motivational words, which highlighted his steps to success after tuning his life around, and he challenged them to achieve their dreams, using his life as an example. Mr. McGhee stated that hard work, hope, prayer and determination were the ingredients to his success.

In addition, Teen Court has entered into an affiliation agreement with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools listed above to coordinate and implement our School-Based Referral Program as a part of each schools Student Court, which is a Restorative Justice Initiative. This initiative utilizes the Teen Court process as an alternative to suspension or other discipline for school rule violations. Teen Court has begun coordinating this initiative with hopes to continue during the 2009 - 2010 school year.

Conference attendees were engaged in the following workshop sessions:

1. When Push Comes to Shove: We Can Work it Out! 2. Gun Violence in America 3. Will Technology Help or Hinder Your Future? Talking on Cell phones, Text Messaging,

Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Photos, Pictures, and Video Games (2 Workshops) 4. Is There Violence in Your Love Relationship? (2 Workshops)5. Violence: Creating Solutions for Change (2 Workshops)

Youth participants, along with facilitators, generated a list of recommendations from each of these workshops, those of which are presented on the following pages:

Second Annual Youth Speaking Out Against Violence Conference: Creating Solutions for Change 1.

1. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE; WE CAN WORK IT OUT (BULLYING) Facilitator: Lysia Bowling, Esq., Assistant Miami City Attorney City of Miami Police Department

Major theme: Non-tolerance towards bullying.

We are all responsible for the battle against bullying. The goal of this discussion was to raise awareness and empower the participants by providing them with an interactive forum to define and explore the issues surrounding bullying and to assist them in recognizing the importance of their own role in combating this type of negative treatment. They defined bullying as behaviors manifested by acts of psychological aggression, manipulation, social exclusion, and ostracism. The students were adamant about the fact that they are entitled to a school environment that is dedicated to learning, therefore students should not be disrupted by acts of bullying and its negative effects. The participants were given various scenarios to role play and this was indeed a successful way to demonstrate the issues at hand.

All of the participants agreed that in order to accomplish accountability, responsibility, and action taking, all stakeholders -- including students, school personnel, parents, and the community -- must participate so as to make a difference in promoting safe schools. The role and responsibility of peers to act, advise, and protect victims was also a crucial topic. They felt that their intervention can be tempered or measured by self interest, since they do not want to be ostracized themselves. Some, in turn, viewed the bully in a sympathetic light – a person that may have been excluded and is reaching out for inclusion. However, only a few of the participants indicated that they observed overt acts of bullying or had been victims of bullying in their schools.

The entire group repeatedly characterized reporting an incident as “doing the right thing” and not something that could be considered snitching. They also readily identified adults that should be relied upon for help including but not limited to, parents, security personnel, coaches, counselors, teachers, and clergy.

Participants’ Recommendations:

1. Report bullying to a responsible adult.

2. Promote programs which teach peaceful mediation between the victim and the bully.

3. Raise self-esteem.

4. Raise awareness of the effects of bullying.

5. Be positive.

6. Be persistent in order to resolve the issue.

7. Make the school environment safe.


2. GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA Facilitator: Detective David Bates, Community Affairs Bureau Miami-Dade County Police Department

The goal of the work shop was to raise awareness of the proliferation of gun violence in America. The students gave positive feedback on possible causes of the increase in gun violence. Between 1979 and 2001, gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America (Children’s Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics). In one year, more children and teens died from gunfire than from cancer, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, and HIV/AIDS combined (Children’s Defense Fund). Every day, more than 80 Americans die from gun violence (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence). American kids are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a gun, 11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun, and 9 times more likely to die from a firearm accident than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined (Centers for Disease Control).

In a single year, 3,012 children and teens were killed by gunfire in the United States, according to the latest national data released in 2002. The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In one year, firearms killed no children in Japan, 19 in Great Britain, 57 in Germany, 109 in France, 153 in Canada, and 5,285 in the United States (Centers for Disease Control). Between 1994 and 1999, there were 220 school associated violent events resulting in 253 deaths - - 74.5% of these involved firearms. Nearly 8% of adolescents in urban junior and senior high schools miss at least one day of school each month because they are afraid to attend (National Men-tal Health & Education Center for Children & Families, National Association of School Psychologists 1998). The National School Board Associations estimates that more than 135,000 guns are brought into U.S. schools each day (NSBA, 1993).


1. Increase penalties for gun related incidents.

2. Create Public Service Announcements that inform the community of the effects of gun violence.

3. Encourage parents to lock away guns in the home.

4. Provide resources to display the dangers of guns.

5. Identify after school programs to keep children away from dangers in the community.

6. Encourage children to participate in community and school based programs, rallies, and other efforts to end violence.

7. Identify a mediator to assist with resolving conflicts that arise, such as trust counselors and/or an outside agency in the schools.


3. WILL TECHNOLOGY HELP OR HINDER YOUR FUTURE? TALKING ON CELL PHONES, TEXT MESSAGING, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, MYSPACE, PHOTOS, PICTURES, AND VIDEO GAMES (2 workshops)

Facilitators: Frank Tarrau, M-DCTC Training Specialist William Simmons, MMAP Contract Specialist

The participants were presented with an array of facts regarding the advance in recent, electronic technological discoveries. These facts were then compared with recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Atlanta, Georgia regarding the use, abuse, and misuse of electronic technology and extreme cases involving electronic harassment and electronic violence in modern society, especially in school settings. Specific attention was paid to the use of electronic devices in spreading rumors that lead to an embarrassing or violent situation, the use of text messaging and instant messaging to harass potential victims, the general profiles of victimizers and victims of electronic violence, and the use of web-based technology as a means to conduct these activities.

Safety planning was also discussed. Advocates and survivors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with a growing number of technological options. Considering methods in which technological tools might be used to help increase a survivor’s safety and privacy, and anticipating ways an abuser might misuse a tool to perpetrate further harm (e.g. to monitor communications or activities, to impersonate, etc.) were two important topics highlighted.

The responsible use of technology was stressed as well. A parallel was drawn between how people learn to engage in responsible behavior in other areas of their lives and how information and communication technologies affect their decision-making regarding the appropriateness of certain choices. Based on this knowledge, strategies to promote more responsible choice making can be developed.


1. Immediately report to proper authorities any electronic violence, if source is known.

2. Avoid situations where technology can create an environment that can breed violence. Examples: Do not share information with unknown sources; Do not answer back to messages of unknown origins, etc.

3. Talk to adults and people in a position of authority regarding sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional harassment experienced through electronic devices.

4. Report violations of this nature to electronic servers and enterprises that manage electronic means.

5. Talk to parents or trusted adults regarding these violations.

6. Do not share personal or visual information regarding yourself and limit information to trusted people you know.

7. Teach youth to make responsible choices.


4. IS THERE VIOLENCE IN YOUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP? (2 workshops) Facilitators: Dr. Pamela Green, M-DCTC Psychological Services Coordinator Maracella Portella, M-DCTC Juvenile Services Specialist LaVerne Carlile, M-DCTC Administrator

The participants were presented with information that assisted them in identifying factors that contribute to violence in relationships. Risk factors such as power and control, abuse of technology, and the impact of family dynamics were discussed, along with characteristics of healthy relationships as well. The Power and Control Wheel for Teens developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project was presented and discussed with the participants.

The participants felt very strongly that young people are more likely to willingly listen to and understand information about violence in relationships when said topics are communicated by fellow young people. They also emphasized the need to send realistic information about violence in relationships as opposed to “watered down” messages. Finally, the participants discussed how a prior history of domestic violence, abuse and/or neglect can help perpetuate the cycle of violence in present relationships. Several attendees revealed that they were victims of domestic violence as a result of growing up where violence was a way of life in their home. Their disclosure helped to personalize the devastating effects of domestic violence and how it impacts future relationships. Following an in-depth discussion, the participants offered the following recommendations regarding ways to reduce violence in relationships:


1. Provide education that clearly demonstrates the components of violence in relationships, as opposed to a watered down version.

2. Offer counseling located in schools and other places where teens gather.

3. Offer classes that teach young people how to develop healthy relationships, build trust and communication skills, and use common sense.

4. Help youth understand that they need to take time to get to know their future partner before getting into a serious relationship.

5. Stress open communication with parents.

6. Provide education for parents to determine whether their child is in an abusive relationship involving emotional, physical, sexual, mental, and/or verbal abuse.

7. Increase public awareness by use of the media. Teen Court participants want to make a Public Service Announcement (PSA) regarding teen dating and violence in relationships.

8. Help youth find the resources available and provide direct contact that will help them dissolve an abusive relationship.

9. Decrease the fear in disclosing involvement in and/or knowledge of an abusive relationship.

10. Provide immediate assistance when a relationship is excessively abusive.


5. VIOLENCE: CREATING SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE (2 workshops) Facilitators: Joseph Aleandre, M-DCTC Juvenile Services Specialist Juan Aspajo, M-DCTC Juvenile Services Specialist

Participants explored factors that contribute to and exacerbate violence in their community. The session began with an attempt at defining violence. Several examples of what constitutes violence were offered by the students. The following definition captured some of the ideas presented: Violence means causing physical or emotional harm to someone else. Given this definition the participants also agreed that violence happens everywhere. The participants then discussed the causes of violence. The following list represents their ideas:

A. Fighting K. Peer Pressure B. Anger L. Drugs and Alcohol C. Envy M. Threats D. Depression N. Guns E. Miscommunication O. Drugs F. Personal problems P. Economic Stress G. Lack of education Q. Gangs H. Need for respect R. Racism I. Ego S. Random Acts of Violence (Fights) J. Maintaining an image T. Need for Popularity

The last part of the discussion centered on the issue of creating solutions for change. The students were very vocal about what they thought should happen in order to bring about change in their community and several recommendations were proposed.


1. Youth should learn and understand the need to put people and the community first.

2. Youth can get rid of stress by engaging in meaningful and rewarding activities.

3. Parents should be more involved in their children’s lives and should discipline them when necessary, as well as control what they watch on TV and the type of video games they play.

4. Increase the amount of youth advocacy, as this will go a long way in decreasing youth violence and bringing about changes in their community and in their lives.

5. Life skill programs were proposed as a way of preparing youth for adult life and for making them better citizens who will contribute to the task of creating a better society.

6. Motivate youth to have high aspirations, as this will help them strive to achieve great things in their lives.

7. Hire better teachers, considering the important role they play in motivating young people.


8. Support the mentoring of students since it is such an excellent way to make a difference in a young person’s life and to help them achieve their goals.

9. If a parent, impose a curfew on one’s children so as to keep them off the streets. The students indicated that most violence occurs after school is out.

10. Be aware of who your friends are because this may help you prevent violence.

11. Utilize the government and the school board to develop change in schools and communities.

12. Make guns less accessible.

13. Ban automatic weapons.

14. If the police must carry guns, require them to carry Tazer guns.

15. Implement more programs dedicated to the reduction of stress.

16. Random drug searches after suspicion.

17. Fight corruption among school security personnel.

18. More money for college: more programs, scholarships, internships.

19. Raise awareness for consequences of gang involvement.

20. The schools should provide less labeling and more assessment.

21. Provide education to increase understanding and bring down stereotypes, ultimately engendering a more accepting and welcoming attitude.

22. More Anger Management courses and workshops incorporated into the school curriculum.

23. To reduce violence in schools, research more effective alternatives. “School Outdoor Suspensions” is being used as a tool to reduce violence in schools, which does not work as a deterrent.


SUMMARY

This report contains a number of recommendations provided by the students representing the eight (8) participating schools, those being: Miami Carol City, Miami Edison, South Dade, Miami Jackson, Booker T. Washington, Miami Norland and Northwestern Senior High Schools and Country Club Middle school. It is the desire of the M-DCTC to expand on these recommendations through the principals, stakeholders, community-based organizations, and students of these schools and communities. Additionally, M-DCTC proposes to help identify resources to assist with the implementation and coordination of the students’ ideas and recommendations.

Miami-Dade County Teen Court (M-DCTC) is a diversion program providing alternative accountability to our juvenile justice system. First-time juvenile misdemeanor offenders who have admitted guilt to a charge are afforded a sentencing hearing conducted by youth volunteers serving as attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and jurors for teens in need of a second chance. Either a practicing Judge or Attorney volunteers his or her time to preside over M-DCTC proceedings.

Participation in M-DCTC exposes youth to future careers in the justice field and helps promote long-term behavioral changes as well as develop skills in leadership, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Participants who successfully complete M-DCTC are provided an opportunity to have their record expunged, whereby a record of the charge is removed from public viewing, providing the offender with a second chance.

Submitted by:

Anthony D. WilliamsDivision Director Youth DevelopmentMiami-Dade County Teen Court

Miami-Dade County Teen Court Staff:Laverne Carlile, Teen Court AdministratorJoseph Aleandre, Juvenile Services Specialist (North)Juan Aspajo, Juvenile Services Specialist (North and Central)Marisela Portela, Juvenile Services Specialist (South)Melba Gasque, Marketing AdministratorDr. Pamela Green, Psychological Services CoordinatorLevon Inniss, Administrative OfficerFrank Tarrau, Training SpecialistAraceli Acosta, Office Support Specialist Petra Granado, Office Support SpecialistShanekqua Griffin, Office Support Specialist


teen court violence conference report

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