Physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society have produced a series of 10 brochures to help parents identify and deal with a range of topics on youth violence, including bullying, dating and street violence, violence in the media, and child sexual abuse. They are available free to parents, educators, youth counselors or others who work with children and youth.
Originated by Robert D. Sege, M.D., Ph.D., and developed by the Medical Society’s Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention, the current publications contain information from a variety of sources, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and Massachusetts Citizens for Children. They are written by experts in the field of youth violence.
Elliot Pittel, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the Society’s Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention and a psychiatrist at The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, called attention to the severity of the problem.
“The aim of these publications,” said Dr. Sege, who is director of the Division of Family and Child Advocacy at Boston Medical Center and Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, “is to reach beyond the physician’s office, to educate parents and those who care for children with expert, practical information, first to prevent violence, and then, when and if it does occur, to intervene appropriately. Parents and their children’s health care providers must be allies in trying to keep children safe.”
The brochures may be downloaded free at www.massmed.org/violence. Printed copies may be ordered individually or in sets from the Medical Society by writing to dph@mms.org or calling 1-800-322-2303, Ext. 7373.
