Large Percentage Of Young Children Witness Violence

A study by pediatricians at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y., found that 79 percent of children surveyed in inner-city pediatric clinics had witnessed violence first-hand, and 49 percent had been direct victims of violence. Of the 175 children surveyed, 19 percent had witnessed violent acts on repeated occasions. Two-thirds of boys and one-third of girls surveyed had been direct victims of violence. The average age of the surveyed children was 10.8 years; 53 percent were boys.The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in New Orleans, May 1-5. For interviews during the meeting, contact the press room at (504) 670-8502 or 670-8508.Researchers’ Institutional Contacts: Anne Silverman, Axel F. Bang (718) 920-4011