A new study reveals that youth aggression ranks seventh in severity in Pennsylvania, which has one of the highest rates of juvenile arrests for aggravated assault in the United States.
The research, conducted by Florida-based personal injury law firm Anidjar & Levine, analyzed juvenile arrest data from 2016 to 2020, sourced from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The study calculated the average annual rates of juvenile arrests for aggravated assault to identify the 10 states with the highest rates per 100,000 youth.
Pennsylvania ranks seventh, with an average of 120 arrests per 100,000 youth, which is 51.9% above the national average of 79. State rates ranged from a high of 144 in 2017 and 2019 to a low of 61 in 2020.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Anidjar & Levine stated:
“The data shows that Pennsylvania recorded the seventh-highest rate of juvenile arrests for aggravated assault in the U.S. (…) These figures highlight a growing trend of aggression among children and teens. Factors such as school violence, bullying, emotional stress, and lack of adequate support systems may contribute to violent behavior.”
The report emphasizes that addressing this issue requires a collaborative effort among parents, educators, and communities. Early intervention, access to therapy, and strong youth mentoring programs are key to reducing these numbers and helping teens develop healthier ways to manage conflict.