U.S. Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence

in Featured by sbcops — March 29, 2012 at 1:47 pm | 0 comments

On March 19, 2012, The Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, held a public hearing at the University of Miami to address children’s exposure to violence in urban and immigrant communities. Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD) Chief, Charles J. Hurley was invited as an expert to give testimony on the impact of violence on children. Chief Hurley spoke on Juvenile Justice Reform, the many challenges facing 21st century youth, and the number of other topics that affect juveniles, particularly those from the urban core. Chief Hurley stated, “there are so many contributors that lead to this critical point that our children are at today.” The Chief went on to share some of the many successful initiatives M-DSPD has implemented, and stressed an entire overhaul of the system would be needed to address this situation, which he described as being at a “tipping point.”

M-DSPD was recently recognized for its innovation and success on reducing incidents and reforming juvenile justice at a number of levels.

This Task Force is part of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative, a project that addresses the epidemic levels of exposure to violence faced by our nation’s children. Based on the testimony at four public hearings, on comprehensive research, and on extensive input from experts, advocates, and impacted families and communities nationwide, the Defending Childhood Task Force will issue a final report to the Attorney General presenting its findings and comprehensive policy recommendations in the fall of 2012. The report will serve as a blueprint for preventing children’s exposure to violence and for reducing the negative effects experienced by children exposed to violence across the United States.