Teen Victims of Crime

Some facts about victims of crimes....

• Each year more than 40 million Americans are victimized at home, at school, or on the street.
• For all major types of crimes, people aged 12 to 19 are the most frequent victims.
• Almost half of violent crimes are committed by a victim's acquaintance or relative.  Nearly half the violent crimes against teens are committed by someone the victim knows at least well enough to recognize.
• The younger a person is, at least down to the age of 16, the more likely he or she is to be a victim.

What You Can Do

Almost everyone knows someone who has been a victim of crime.  With all crime there is the possibility of physical, emotional, or financial repercussions.  Just because someone did not sustain physical injuries doesn't mean that they weren't affected by the incident.  The effects of crime can even be seen in the larger sense, as crime takes its toll on the whole community.  People start to feel more unsafe, teens worry about walking to school, and people start to isolate themselves. 

If a friend becomes a victim of crime there are steps you can take to help that person.  Three things you can say to help the victim are (1) I'm sorry it happened (2) It wasn't your fault (3) How can I help?  Try your best not to make the situation worse for the person but just be there to listen to them and don't judge.  Encourage that person to notify the police if they have not done so already.

Additional Resources

National Center for Victims of Crime
Bureau of Justice Statistics, Victim Statistics