Factors that increase violence and crime and what we can do

Tue June 18, 2013

Editor: Violence and crime seems to be the major topic of discussion in our beautiful homeland of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a topic that is having such a profound effect on us all as a people and there is a dire need for us to start realizing the importance of this social ill.{{more}}

There are several factors that increase crime and violence.

Social and cultural factors mediate crime, along with poverty, unemployment, the witnessing of parental abuse during childhood, the rapid pace of urbanization, growth in youth population, deportation of criminals.

The children within our society are most important, for they are the future of our nation. It is undoubtedly true that children are the most vulnerable members of society, who are most easily hurt. For example, it seems to be highly likely that the children of families with domestic violence matters would suffer from incurable “scars” their whole life, causing mental issues. Apart from that, children who are brought up in a violent and criminal environment would probably follow in their older family members’ footsteps, losing their right track in life, and finally becoming threats to society.

All things considered, I believe that crime and violence are responsible for numerous social issues. To tackle this problem, the governments should enforce stricter punishment to criminals, together with carefully educating the young generation. If we have stricter punishment, then this will deter individuals from committing crimes and violent acts.

It is also important that there is some form of rehabilitation for these offenders, as without rehabilitation, we cannot cure the ills of our society. If we are able to rehabilitate the offenders, especially our youth, then we may have a chance as a society to reach our future women and men, who have at some point become delinquent. Positive change in a young person’s life can have an impact on an entire community.

Poverty plays a vital role in the increase in violence and crime. Many violent acts occur in poverty-stricken areas. Poverty causes violence and crime to flourish. Many are frustrated and need to feed their families and not having any resources, may commit acts of crime in order to give the basic necessities. Poverty also manifests acts of violence, because of the necessity to survive, the lack of equality, the psychological impact it has on them, the absence of basic necessities and the frustration that poverty imposes on someone’s day-to-day living. In saying this, there are poor communities where crime levels are low because behaviour is constrained by formal social and cultural values.

Unemployment links back to poverty; when there is an unavailability of jobs, there is a need for survival mechanisms. There is a stigma to welfare and begging, so crime is what some may turn to, just to provide their basic needs and those of their families. Many forms of employment that people rely on are not constant and stable, and therefore there is a lack of job security which results in the fact that they have no form of lifelong security.

Many individuals turn to drug-related crimes in order to maintain themselves and their families. Crime manifests violence and so they both link together to impose the social ills we experience. People should be encouraged to turn to agriculture, start their own small businesses; incentives should be given and knowledge as to how one is able to become a business owner or a farmer.

The growing gap between the rich and the poor is another important factor that causes the increase in crime and violence. Closely associated with inequality are key exclusionary factors relating to unequal access to education, employment, health and basic infrastructure.

The rapid pace of urbanization is significantly associated with increased crime rates; households located in areas experiencing high levels of growth are more likely to be victimized than those communities that have stable populations. Rapidly developed places increase pressures on the ability of authorities to meet public security and safety demands.

The deportation of criminals to their country of origin in particular, accounts for the youth crime and gang-related activities in the region. One of the major solutions to this issue is one where criminal deportees should be monitored by authorities and should not be just left free to roam our streets. They should be registered by authorities and then must be rehabilitated, so they can then make a positive contribution to society.

In order for these social ills to be addressed, we must address then as a nation united to curb the issues. We must be our neighbour’s keeper, encourage our youth and educate them in every aspect so that they can, in return, be the positive future women and men of our world. Facilitate them with the tools to be progressive. Utilize the luscious land and soil that we have and cultivate it to bring about employment. Rehabilitate our criminals so that they can, in return, come out of incarceration and bring positivity to society rather than negativity. Parents, remember, be the example to our future, our children, as it states it takes a community to raise a child; so let us raise these children so they can contribute to our society so would be less prone to violence and crime.

LOVNSVG

LOVNSVG is a non-profit organization that is here to benefit the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines. We say no to violence and crime and so should you. Be the positive change today.

www.lovnsvg.org

info@lovnsvg.org

Facebook group: Time to stand together against violence and crime.