Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Photo: Carlos Javier Ortiz

Even as crime rates hit record lows in cities across the country, gun homicides, gang violence and dating abuse among young people remain stunningly high. Last year, there were more than 4,000 violent incidents in Philadelphia's schools, the majority of them involving students not yet in high school.

Youth violence represents a serious public health problem for all communities. It challenges health professionals and educators, law enforcement and courts, community organizations and government agencies.  It also challenges news professionals, whether health and education reporters, cops and court reporters, feature writers, investigative reporters or journalists covering schools, families and neighborhoods.

To help journalists and news organizations in the greater Philadelphia area strengthen their coverage of this crucial public health issue, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma based at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism recently hosted a two-day workshop, made possible by generous funding from the Thomas Scattergood Behavior Health Foundation and additional support from the Stoneleigh Foundation, to help journalists and news organizations cover the critical public health issue of youth violence. The workshop featured a wide range of speakers including national and local mental health and policy experts, award-winning journalists, educators and prevention advocates.

All materials from the workshop are now available on the Dart Center's website.

They include:

• Tipsheets on covering youth violence, including how to take a public health approach and lessons from a local investigation.
• Videos and presentation materials from workshop sessions featuring experts, advocates and journalist-to-journalist discussion.
• Source-development resources including contact information for national speakers and prevention, education, advocacy and direct service organizations in the Philadelphia area.

Please share these resources with your colleagues who cover the vital issue of youth violence and related beats such as courts, crime, families and education.