This examination of youth violence provides readers with insights from international experts and real-life examples of how nations and communities around the world have successfully dealt with the issue.

The magnitude of the problem of youth violence in nations throughout the world is shocking. What is encouraging is that strategies to combat this issue do appear to work. For example, community-based restorative justice programs in Northern Ireland reduced retaliatory strikes by paramilitary youth groups by 75 percent, and research trials of policy and intervention strategies, such as parent training and early childhood education, have been shown to significantly reduce youth violence.

This text offers a comprehensive overview of youth violence, including background information that defines the problem internationally, a conceptual framework for understanding approaches to youth violence, examinations of multiple case studies, and examples of prevention programs. The final section presents conclusions and suggested strategies for dealing with interpersonal violence and recommendations for future policy.

Joan Serra Hoffman, PhD, is a consultant to international organizations including the Inter-American Bank, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, and USAID.

Lyndee Knox, PhD, is CEO of LA Net, a community-based organization that supports not-for-profit groups working in low income communities.

Robert Cohen, PhD, is professor and vice chair in the department of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.