Portraits of Peer Violence in Public Space: Experiences from Young People in Four Localities in Europe

Everyday peer violence among 13 to 15 year olds in public space is a largely hidden phenomenon. The aim of the research project presented in this book was to identify different types of violent encounters and to find out how young people themselves describe, experience and interpret these interactions and their impact. In each of the participating countries - Austria, Estonia, Finland and the United Kingdom - a relatively disadvantaged locality was identified. Young people within this area were then interviewed to collect their narratives and perspectives. This book describes the findings from the research at the national level as well as from a comparative, supranational point of view. We hope that the results will prove to be of interest and relevance both to practitioners working with young people as well as to policy makers responsible for young people and for the constructive use of public space. The two year project was carried out by four research teams, each situated in one of the participating countries, coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Youth Research, and funded by the European Commission, DG Justice, Freedom and Security, in the Daphne Programme II and by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Health, Family and Youth Affairs.