The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment has launched another phase of its anti-violence campaign.
During the launch ceremony in the car park of the ministry’s headquarters in Sky Mall Haggatt Hall, St Michael, yesterday, Acting Minister John King said Government was delivering on its promise to provide a sustained range of sensitisation programmes, targeted messages, psycho-educational training and social intervention to effect changes in behaviour that could lead to a reduction in crime.
The new phase of the campaign involves the strategic placing of anti-violence messages using the Adopt-a-Stop Bus Shelter initiative.
“This unveiling represents another step in Government’s commitment to tackle and ultimately to reduce the incidence of violence in our society and particularly among our young people,” said King, whose substantive post is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with Responsibility for Culture.
“The ministry is therefore committed to mitigating the serious negative effect of fear, victimisation and uncertainty that has started to become embedded in the psyche of our communities and which make our efforts extra difficult to assist independent living in a safe community.
“The unveiling of these anti-violence messages is therefore a critical and timely response as we seek to address the escalating prevalence of gun-related and other overt and covert instances of violence.”
King said shelters would also be adopted in Oistins, Christ Church; Speightstown, St Peter; Six Roads, St Philip, and Black Rock, St Michael. Benches with messages will be placed in other heavily traversed areas as well as schools, recreational facilities and places where young people hang out.
“The intention is to make messages of peace more visible in order that persons can make the choice to end the violence now.”
The Anti-violence Campaign was launched three months ago. It is aimed at reinforcing positive thinking and reducing violent thoughts; occupying the talents and time of young people as a means of reducing the risk factors for violence; and empowering communities by providing viable skills and opportunities for self-development and personal well-being. (SB)
