YEF reports into youth violence

At the end of last year, our colleagues over at the Youth Endowment Fund surveyed over 10,000 teenage children (aged 13-17) in England and Wales about their experiences of violence within the last 12 months. The findings are detailed across five reports, each focusing on a different aspect.

The first report, published last month “Children, violence and vulnerability 2024; Who is affected by violence?’, explores the effect of violence on children aged 13-17 years, how widespread it is, the various forms it takes and its impact on children’s lives, all within the last 12 months.

Who is at risk?

This YEF report notes that experiences of violence are concentrated among the most vulnerable. Certain groups of children face a significantly higher risk of becoming victims and perpetrators – with those struggling in education being the most likely to fall victim or be a perpetrator of violence (74% of excluded pupils and 40% of those in pupil referral units report perpetrating violence, compared to just 16% of the average across the population). Children with special educational needs, particularly cognitive or learning difficulties, are similarly at heightened risk of being victim/perpetrator or both.

Over half (52%) of children reported changing their behaviours because of a fear of violence, with a third (33%) avoiding certain places or social events. For over a fifth (22%), the young people report that the anxiety has taken a toll on their mental health leading to things like disrupted sleep, suppressed appetites and making it harder to focus in school.

The importance of trusted adults

The fifth report, published on 18th December, Who has access to positive activities, youth clubs and trusted adults?, focuses on who has access to positive activities. The report covers the types of activities young people do outside of school, attendance at and access to youth clubs, and whether children have an adult outside their family who they can trust.

This YEF report notes that one in five teens don’t have a trusted adult outside their family, which for the VVU shows us the importance of ensuring young people have access to youth workers, mentors and adults they can build trusted relationships with.

The reports cover a range of topics, including social media and boys and girls experiences.

The VVU will use the findings of the YEF reports, alongside our own Essex based research and evidence, to inform our work