THERE has been an increase in violence in our schools, in our communities, and in our nation. The situation has given rise to serious concern for schools, our communities, and, indeed, our nation.
Now, the problem of youth violence has come to the fore, considering that seventeen-year-olds have been involved in violent behaviours.
Indeed, youth violence is the leading cause of homicides in St. Lucia. That situation harms families, neighbours, schools, and entire communities.
It is no surprise now, that each day a violent act or homicide is being investigated by the major crimes’ unit of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.
Now, the causes of youth violence or the factors which influence whether youth violence occurs, include multiple factors.
Factors which influence youth violence include experiences, relationships with friends and family, and community traits.
By community traits I mean the qualities that make a positive community.
In this article, I will present prevention opportunities that make youth violence less severe in our ‘Fair Helen’, and, indeed, anywhere in the world. The presentation includes, public health and other approaches which would support a sustained reduction in youth violence; strategies that develop skills of youth and build the health and safety of families, schools and neighbourhoods; the role of the community in the prevention of youth violence and action steps everyone can take.
The following actions, when implemented, could prevent youth violence:
Enhance the Skills and Experiences of Individual Youth
Community Leaders and Members:
(a) Should engage the young people as mentors, tutors, or volunteers at schools and youth serving organizations to support the healthy development of all young people.
I am aware that some schools are already giving young people the opportunity to volunteer at their schools. For example, in sports and tutoring areas.
(b) Should provide meaningful and appropriate opportunities through Business houses and social or civic groups for young people to develop their interest, skills and talents.
(c) Should praise good behaviour and take immediate action to stop youth violence when it occurs.
Use and Promote Youth Violence Prevention Strategies that are Based on Evidence to Benefit the Entire Community
Community leaders and Members should:
(a) Support local actions by joining or starting a youth violence prevention coalition. By coalition I mean a structured group of persons dedicated to work across groups and sectors;
(b) Make prevention a community priority;
(c) Insist on the use of data to make decisions and put in place evidence-based approaches.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs conducted a Health Survey. Very recently, I followed a report that was being disseminated through the Government Information Service (GIS). In that report, I noticed that much data was released which would enable the ministry to target areas for improvement in the health sector.
(d) Use a comprehensive set of approaches to support and strengthen youth, families, schools, and communities
(e) Seek out and use existing resources, available in the community, to learn about effective youth.
Many young persons are available in our community, and would be happy to serve other young persons like themselves, if called upon.
(f) Share progress and successes to raise awareness that youth violence is a preventable public health problem.
Help Communities Build their Capacity to Prevent Youth Violence.
Public Health Professionals should:
(a) Actively disseminate, or share information, the latest information about what works on the prevention of youth violence.
(b) Join with partners to strategically plan and support widespread implementation of evidence-based youth violence prevention approaches;
(c) Expand and enhance data systems on youth violence and risk or protective factors and improve data integration and dissemination;
In a previous article, I stressed the need for the collection of data on Youth Violence in St. Lucia, to guide actions on the prevention of youth violence.
(d) Public Health officials should enhance public health leadership for youth violence prevention.
Continue Innovative Research to Address Gaps
By innovative I mean finding new methods, advanced or original.
(e) Public Health Officials should continue to research specifically about factors that protect youth, families and neighbourhoods from violence.
(f) Public Health officials vigorously evaluate promising youth violence prevention strategies.
(g) Public Health officials should study ways to strengthen communities’ ability to implement youth violence prevention strategies.
To be continued…