Office of Justice Programs Weekly News Brief

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the  Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs:

BJS Releases Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011 – The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011, which presents data on crime and safety at school from the perspectives of students, teachers and principals.  A joint effort by BJS and the National Center for Education Statistics, this annual report examines crime occurring both in schools, as well as when students travel to and from school.  It also provides the most current detailed statistical information on the nature of crime in schools and school environments, and responses to violence and crime at school. http://www.bjs.gov

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month – In recognition of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, OJP is highlighting Safe Dates and 4th R Curriculum, school-based prevention programs focusing on teen dating violence in middle and high schools. The Safe Dates program, for students 11 – 17 years old, is designed to stop or prevent the initiation of dating violence victimization and perpetration, including psychological, physical and sexual abuse that may occur between youths in a dating relationship.  CrimeSolutions.gov rated this program "effective" in reducing teen dating violence.  The 4th R is an interactive classroom curriculum that seeks to reduce youth dating violence by addressing youth violence and bullying, unsafe sexual behavior and substance use for students 14 – 15 years old.  CrimeSolutions.gov rated this program "promising."

Save the Date: Public Hearing of the Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, March 19-21—The task force will hold a public hearing in Miami to address children's exposure to violence in their communities and at school.  The task force is chaired by Joe Torre, former manager of the New York Yankees, Chairman of the Board of the Joe Torre Safe at Home® Foundation and a witness to violence as a child; and Robert Listenbee, Jr., Chief of the Juvenile Unit of the Defender Association of Philadelphia.  At the end of 2012, the task force will submit a final report of recommendations to the Attorney General. To register to attend the hearing or provide testimony, visit: www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood. 

SOURCE Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs