A 1993 discussion paper issued by the federal Department of Justice stated that the crime rate among Canadian youth has remained more or less constant over the past five to 10 years. The number of minor assault charges increased between 1986 and 1992, the federal paper stated. It is not known whether this increase reflects police officers' willingness to lay charges for more minor assaults, or whether such incidents are being reported to police more often than before. Between 1986 and 1992, young people were charged with an average of 45 homicides per year. One in five charges for violent offences involved assault with a weapon, and one in 10 involved sexual assault.
Television strongly influences children's beliefs and attitudes.
By the end of their elementary education, children will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence. By the time they complete grade 12, they will have spent between 3,000 and 4,000 hours more in front of the television than in the classroom. In 1993, a House of Commons committee identified quality public education programs as one of the most important tools in preventing crime. Children who learn these skills may be less likely to commit crimes, especially violent crimes, in the future. This issue sheet is one of a series produced by the Canadian Teachers' Federation as part of its National Issues in Education Initiative.