René Olate , PhD (olate.1@osu) Michael Vaughn , PhD Eun Joo Chung , MA

1. Evidence-based Community Interventions for Tackling the Problems of Youth Violence and Delinquency in Central America René Olate, PhD (olate.1@osu.edu) Michael Vaughn, PhD EunJooChung, MA Chris Salas-Wright, PhD Social Work – Social Development Sweden, Stockholm July 10, 2012

2. Contents Background: Youth violence and gangs in Central America Research: Partnership between a youth organization and researchers Message: (“Mano Dura” or Iron fist policies failed) Evidence-based Community interventions working in the gray area: Harm reduction interventions Desistance strategies

3. The Northern Triangle of Violence: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras(Homicide Rate per 100,000) Source: U.N. Development Program (2009). Informe sobre desarrollo humano para América Central 2009-2010.

4. Global Study on Homicide UNODC (2011) Homicide Rate per 100,000: • Honduras: 82.1 (6,239) • El Salvador: 66.0 (4,085) • Belize: 41.7 (130) • Guatemala: 41.4 (5,960) • Panama: 21.6 (759) • Mexico: 18.1 (20,585) • Nicaragua: 13.2 (766) • Costa Rica: 11.3 (527) NORTHERN SQUARE OF VIOLENCE

5. Violence and Youth Gangs • El Salvador: 66 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants • More than 270% that of Latin America • The second largest rate worldwide (UNODC, 2011) • Youth gangs: Mara Salvatrucha (MS) & 18th Street (18) • More than28,000 (9,566 in prison) (PoliciaNacional Civil, 2012) • Responsible for 30% of the nation’s homicides (PoliciaNacional Civil, 2012) • Responsible for 90% of the extortion-related crime (“la renta”) • Salvadoran youth • No age group is more likely to be victimized by or perpetrate violence (Cruz, 2005). “Central America is now considered the most violent region in the world”

6. The Impact of Drug Trafficking $ 177.26 • The value of the cocaine market in the US has fallen dramatically in the last decade; however it has increased in Europe and South America. • The main route of cocaine to the US is through Central America and Mexico. This is a $6 billion industry (plus $29.5 b. once it is in the US).

8. Risk and protective factors • Individual, family, school, peer, community Inform intervention programs and evidence-based practices • Risk/protective factors is not enough • Atheoretical • Fail to account for mediating mechanisms Current Research

9. Data collection I (2010): Purposive sample (N=208) of high risk and youth gang involved from San Salvador metropolitan area • Data Collection II (2011): Increase the number of communities youth (N=351) • Data Collection III (2012) : aiming 500 youth • In collaboration with a high risk youth development organization that works with active gang members and high risk youth • Respondents recruited by staff members by means of snowball or chain referral sampling Longitudinal Study

10. Delinquency • Self-Reported Delinquency Scale (SRD) from the National Youth Survey (Elliot, Huizinga, & Ageton, 1985) • Violence • SRD and Aggressiveness Scale (Thornberry et al., 2003). • Substance Abuse • Rochester Youth Survey (Thornberry et al., 2003) • Others • Empathy (Jolliffe& Farrington, 2005 Measurement

11. Sample Size 351 • Mean age 21 years • Mean lifetime education 8th grade • Male 82% • Enrolled in school 28% • Employed 37% • Deported 6% • Arrested 22% Sample Characteristics

12. Olate, R., Salas-Wright, C., & Vaughn, M. G. (2012). Predictors of violence and delinquencyamong high risk youth and youth gang members in San Salvador. International Social Work, 55(3) 383–401. • Salas-Wright, C., Olate, R., & Vaughn, M. G. (in press). Assessing empathy in Salvadoran high-risk youth and youth gang members: A Spanish validation of the “Basic Empathy Scale”. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology • Olate, R., Salas-Wright, C., & Vaughn, M. (2011). A cross-national comparison of externalizing behaviors among high risk youth and youth gang members in metropolitan Boston and San Salvador. Victims & Offenders, 6(4), 356-369. • Biswas, B., Olate, R., & Vaughn, M. (2011). Comparing risky sexual behavior among gang-involved youth in Metropolitan Boston, and San Salvador, El Salvador. Journal of Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 6(4), 309-313. • Olate, R. & Salas-Wright, C. (2011). ¿Cómo intervenir en los problemas de violencia y delincuencia juvenil? El fracaso de los enfoques punitivos y las posibilidades del enfoque de la salud pública. Revista de Trabajo Social, 79, 7-21. Peer-reviewed Papers

13. High-risk youth and youth gang involved are similar to high-risk youth in the US, but they exhibit higher levels of violence and delinquency. • Youth gang members exhibit high level of risk behaviors • One of the main factors that explain violence is exposure to violence: vicious cycles • The second generation of youth gang members is already active • Youth gangs are extremely adaptable to the environment: army in the streets • Youth gangs “control” some communities • Youth gangs are growing Summary of Evidence

14. Evidence-based Community Interventions working in the gray area Message: (“Mano Dura” or Iron fist policies failed) Harm reduction interventions Desistance strategies

15. Harm Reduction (IN): • Drug use • Violence • Delinquency Desistance (OUT) - Alternatives to gang life: • Employment • Marriage and stable relationship • Associations: sports and churches Public Health Approach: Community-based Prevention and Intervention