Safe Rhode Island:
Violence and Injury Prevention Program

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Violence and Suicide Prevention Team, youth violence is not limited to youth on youth violence, but may involve a youth victim and an adult perpetrator, or vice versa. The salient feature of youth violence is that the perpetrator, the victim or both are under 25 years of age. Youth violence also includes suicidal acts.

Rhode Island Youth Homicide Statistics
According to Rhode Island statistics for 1994-1998, homicide was the third leading cause of death for Rhode Islanders age 15 to 24 years (OHS). During 1994-1997, homicide rates for youth 20-24 are more than double the overall rates in Rhode Island. (Office of Health Statistics)

Rhode Island Youth Suicide Statistics
In 1998, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Rhode Islanders 15-24 AND the second leading cause of death for ages 25-34. (CDC)

According to the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 24% of high school students in Rhode Island seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months compared to 20.5% nationwide. Ten percent attempted suicide in the past 12 months compared to 7.7% nationwide. For more information on suicide, click here.