The following are brief descriptions of reports and articles concerning the causes of violence. The report or article will open in another window when you click on its title.

Changing Patterns of Violence
A paper by Kenneth Polk, PhD, given at the 3rd National Outlook Symposium on Crime in Canberra, Australia (1999). Discusses the persistent view of the wider public that crime, including violent crime, is on the increase, in part because that is a view derived from many of the media presentations of crime. In reality, trends in violent crime are complex and not necessarily easy to either describe or explain. One of the explanations offered is the "Hypothesis of Youth Abandonment". (NOTE: this link opens in another window.)

Media Violence Survey
In the first ever conducted international survey on children and media violence, a UNESCO study underlines television's dominant role in the lives of young people around the world and its impact on the development of aggressive behaviour, paving the way for a stronger debate between politicians, producers, teachers and parents. (NOTE: this link takes you away from this website.)

Child Abuse Deaths Stun New Yorkers
This 24th January 2006 report on NPR's Morning Edition by Allison Keyes covers New York City's investigation into the City's Administration for Children's Services after an increase in the deaths of children at the hands of abusive parents. Some teachers, neighbours and foster parents say the deaths could have been prevented. (NOTE: this link takes you away from this website and requires RealPlayer or Windows Media Player to listen to the streaming audio report.)

How is mental health in adulthood linked to interaction in childhood?
The text of a 1997 address by Margaret Norrie McCain to the Cornerstones for Mental Health Conference in which the effects of abuse, neglect and violence in childhood is linked to mental health, violence and crime in adults.

The Cycle of Violence Revisited
Studies (sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute of Mental Health) indicate there is a cycle of violence.

Some Things You Should Know About the Effects of Violence on Children
The impact of violence on children depends on: the level of exposure; the child's age and developmental phase; the family and community context in which the violence occurred; and the availability of family and community supports.

Violence in Elephants
BBC TV News Report about severely disturbed behaviour amongst young elephants.