HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 66

(By Delegate Walker)

[February 15, 2022]

Proclaiming and declaring youth violence a public health epidemic and declaring support for statewide trauma-informed education.

Whereas, Youth violence is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the intentional use of physical force or power by young people ages 10 to 24 to threaten or harm others, generally within the same age or peer group. Youth violence negatively impacts all types of communities, though the extent and types of youth violence vary. According to the CDC, youth violence is a serious public health problem and an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have long-term impact on health and wellbeing; and

Whereas, Evidence shows that youth violence is relatively common in the United States.  According to the CDC, nearly one in five high school students reported being bullied on school property in the last year, and about one in seven were bullied electronically. Homicide remains the third leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24, and the leading cause of death for non-Hispanic Black or African American youth. Nationally each day, about 13 young people are victims of homicide and about 1,100 are treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assault-related injuries; and

Whereas, Some youth are at greater risk than others. Sexual minority teens are more likely to experience multiple forms of violence compared to their heterosexual peers. Youth violence disproportionately impacts Black or African American youth and young adults are at higher risk for the most physically harmful forms of violence; and

Whereas, Youth violence impacts communities across the State of West Virginia. In 2019, of 300 gun deaths in West Virginia, 20 were if children and teens ages zero to 19. Eighty-one percent of gun death victims in West Virginia in 2019 were male. Our state had the 14^th highest gun death rate in the nation in 2019. In West Virginia, young Black males are disproportionately impacted by firearm homicide, with Black males aged 15 to 34 having a firearm homicide rate eight times higher than White males of the same age group; and

Whereas, Some law-enforcement agencies in West Virginia have reported an increase in violent incidents among youth since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, Youth violence can negatively impact the physical and mental health of young people. Youth violence has been shown to lead to many long-term negative health and behavioral outcomes including higher rates of smoking, substance abuse, obesity, high-risk sexual behavior, depression, academic difficulty, school drop-out, and suicide. In addition, those involved in youth violence are more likely to become both perpetrators and victims of violence in the future; and

Whereas, The negative effect of youth violence extends to the entire community. Violence generally increases healthcare costs, decreases property value, and disrupts social services by straining community resources. In addition, youth violence can impact the perceived and actual safety within a community, which can then lesson participation in community events and decrease the viability of local businesses; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature of West Virginia recognizes the magnitude of the crisis of youth violence in the state; and, be it,

Further resolved, That the Legislature of West Virginia hereby proclaims and declares youth violence a public health epidemic and declares its support for statewide trauma-informed education.