Evergreen House - Violence Prevention

The following article provides helpful information on the causes of family, gang, and community violence and useful suggestions for avoiding violence.

Note: The following article has been produced and extrapolated from the following report:

Crime and Violence Prevention Center

Sacramento, CA 94244-2250

Credit should be given to all the presenters, staff and others mentioned in the Appendices section of the above-mentioned report. We believe that the information contained in the report although produced in California is reflective of and could be used in any state in the United States of America.

There is a perception across America that violence is pervasive and becoming more random. Americans are concerned; they feel more vulnerable. They see parents abusing-even killing - their children and the havoc caused by domestic violence. They see kids killing kids, fueled by increasing gang violence and random shootings for seemingly senseless reasons. They question how so many young people could kill so wantonly. But, the current upsurge in violence by and against increasingly younger Americans - too often our children - is a new phenomenon, and a very disturbing one. Some say we are witnessing the emergence of a culture of violence.

Violence damages families, where women and children are most often victimized. It increases isolation and alienation and breaks down our generational ties. Violence at home teaches our children that this kind of behavior is an acceptable and inescapable part of life, creating a cycle that too often repeats itself in future generations. Violence fosters hate, blame, prejudice and discrimination. It destroys our sense of security and community, producing social confusion and a growing lack of trust in our institutions. Fear of violence causes people to become reactionary and defensive, resulting in an increasingly armed society. Violence has enormous economic costs. It fuels the exploding costs of our health care, criminal justice, education and social services systems. It diverts scarce resources from education, community development, prevention and early intervention to treatment and incarceration.

Contributing Factors to Violence

Violence feeds on itself; the conditions that breed violence are exacerbated by the effects of violence. The impacts of violent acts become, in themselves, contributing factors to further violence. Media, firearms, alcohol and corporate promotion of violence are identifiable as catalysts. Poverty, hopelessness and isolation, and educational decline are recognized as social conditions that can sow the seeds of violence. The devaluing of life- including racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination --as well as the decline in personal and social responsibility, are values and attitudes associated with escalating violence. As a youth, the violent adolescent:

Must have seen this type of behavior at homes, in school, or on the TV screen
Must also have seen it rewarded and approved
Might subsequently have fantasized about it
Has perhaps engaged in it and been rewarded for it

Although aggression is caused by many factors, ultimately it is learned behavior. This is one hopeful note in the depressing sequence or combination of causal factors.

If aggression is learned; then it can be unlearned, or conditions arranged so it is not learned in the first place. (This is the overriding finding of the American Psychological Association).

Family, Relationships & Youth

When families break down, we often see this breakdown in the form of violence. Family violence can occur in any family, regardless of socio-economic class or cultural origin. It is often intergenerational, causing suffering for each generation caught in its vicious cycle. Family violence includes child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and neglect), spouse or partner abuse (i.e. domestic violence) and elder abuse. Children who are abused, or who witness violence in the home, may grow up to abuse their own family members or parents. Thus, the cycle continues.

Important criteria for a healthy family include:

A willingness to provide a safe, nonviolent, loving environment
A commitment to care for, nurture and support the well-being of all the family members
Where children are involved, a responsibility to teach them basic values and ensure their healthy growth and development.

We should also strongly condemn all forms of violence in the family, be it child abuse and neglect, parental rejection or abandonment and witnessing domestic violence or elder abuse.

Kids today are unbelievably impacted by violence in ways unfamiliar to most of us. Violence can pin them in their rooms, lock them out of their playgrounds. It steals their parents, brothers, sisters, friends and other family members. It can drain their energy and will to learn. It can make them forget about tomorrow or not think that tomorrow is very important. Instead of planning their next school opportunity or whom they are going to go out with, some of them are thinking about when their funeral is going to come.

We all need to do our part to rid ourselves, our families and our communities of violence.

Common Ground for Preventing Violence

Embrace violence-free values
Adopt an asset- or strength - based view of family and community
Apply effective principles to community-building focusing on prevention at all levels

Initiatives for Preventing Violence

Increase the constructive use of the media to deglamorize violence and promote nonviolent social norms
Reduce deaths and injuries from firearms
Reduce violence associated with alcohol
Strengthen communities and schools by expanding local ownership and control
Support families, recognizing them as the basic institution for developing and nurturing children
Foster and support violence-free relationships
Ensure the development of healthy and responsible youth
Recognize that all people matter, fostering a respect for diversity
Advance personal and social responsibility
Support violence prevention research and evaluation

Violence is everyone's business and everyone must accept this truth. In doing so we will see a promising future and start to turn back the tide of violence.

****This article has been put together as a website item to be used for informational and educational purposes and by no means to take anything away from the people who participated in and produced it.

A Message of Ideas to our Youth

Many people know that gangs and violence are tied together and that they may have been or are presently affected by gangs and violence. Doctors, psychologists, law enforcement officers, gang experts and others have spoke and written articles and books on why youth are involved with or affected by gangs and violence. The following is a brief summary of some of these ideas.

Our country (America) is the most violent country amongst the industrialized countries in the world. Violence has become acceptable in resolving arguments, conflicts and disagreements. It is used to control people, acquire material things and for quenching emotional needs.

Today's youth, whether involved in a gang or not have become overly represented as both the perpetrators of violence and victims of violence. Every day America's youth are victims of emotional, physical and sexual violence from someone in their family or have seen a family member being abused.

Gangs have created fear, wreaked havoc and made violence a near daily occurrence amongst the students in our schools. Students are afraid to go to certain areas within their school or school grounds and some go out of their way to find a safe route to and from school. We find our youth are faced with violent situations at home, on the streets and even in the schools they attend.

It appears that we have devalued life so much that youth who are involved in gangs have no difficulty in beating, stabbing, raping or even killing someone. They do this on the gang's behalf or supposedly for someone even looking at them the wrong way. This gang mentality with its false sense of power tries to seek respect by the threats and taking of life is one of the greatest tragedies affecting youth and society today. In big cities gang members beat, maim and kill people for running shoes, starter jackets, etc., and for what they see as some form of disrespect.

Many parts of the country now have youth violence that has reached epidemic proportions. Some ways to avoid being caught up in the epidemic include:

Educate yourselves with school and life skills in every way possible, as you will need those educational and life skills to survive what is ahead of you in your life, whether to support yourself and/or a family and to survive in the world of tomorrow. Do you know what lies ahead of you as to jobs or other means to successfully accomplish this? If not, acquire the means to do it. Your success and life may depend on it.
Pay no attention to the others who call you names like "school boy, school girl, preppy, etc.," simply because you are getting yourself an education. You have the right to do well in school and prepare yourself for the future. There will always be a need for educated people such as you. There will always be a need for doctors, business people, accountants, nurses, carpenters, mechanics, teachers and other educated people to run the world of tomorrow. In adult life you may even be the ones educating the dropouts and the very ones who today call you names.
For those of you who let others control you ask yourselves, "Why do I let others control me?" You can make your own right decisions without their input. There are many positive youths in your classes and community with whom you can associate.
If you believe you come from a troubled home or have been hurt by someone, then seek out and find help for yourself. Support your brothers, sisters, parents, friends and relatives and no doubt they will support you in time of need. Help each other, succeed, have fun and learn together. In doing this you will help yourself heal and will be better equipped to deal with whatever comes your way as you grow older and wiser.
Become a person who is aware of other peoples and cultures of the world and support their right to exist. In doing this they, no doubt, will support your right to exist and practice your culture. Be a person of peace; let go of any anger, hatred and jealousy. Be kind and kindness will come your way. Help other people and they will help you. Respect yourself and others. You gain respect by showing respect. There is no other way. Gaining respect by threats or violence is only temporary and false. Do not let anyone tell you differently.
If someone asks, wants, or threatens you to join a gang, educate yourself about what that particular gang or any gang is all about. What do they do? Are they violent? Do they deal in drugs or are involved in criminal activity? What would you have to do to join the gang? What would you have to do after you joined the gang? Do not believe for a second that you will not have to sell drugs, hurt or kill someone. All gangs are involved in some form of illegal criminal activity. Remember, whatever backgrounds you come from the gangs have hurt you all. Maybe a gang has hurt one of your friends, relatives or family members. Do you really want to be a person who hurts other people? Society will only begin to say good things about you when you in turn do good things.
If you need and want help at school, accessing community recreation equipment, facilities or something else, approach your school officials or the necessary people in your community and ask them if these things can be provided. They will let you know if it is possible to meet your needs and provide you with the help that you want. Should you need help to deal with or resolve personal issues you can see your family doctor for a referral to a professional who can help you. You can also make your own appointment to talk to someone; all you have to do is find out what kind of help you need and then make an appointment to see the person you need to see.
Always be aware that usage of any mood-altering chemical will more than likely lead to a violent situation. This is because while you are under its influence you may feel like you are invincible and could defeat anyone in a violent confrontation. The thing you need to realize is that when you come out of its influence you may be in a jail cell or juvenile detention center for causing serious bodily harm or maybe even killing someone. By then it is too late. The damage has been done and you now have to face the consequences.

Ideas for Avoiding Violence

Never join a gang
Stay away from people in gangs
Avoid people who commit criminal acts
Avoid youth who do drugs
Avoid youth who use alcohol under the legal age limit
Get involved in community recreational activities
Get involved in after school sports or school related activities
Say no to violence
Educate yourself about how and why violence occurs
Become a positive peer
Hang out with positive peers
Ask for help on how to avoid and deal with violence

REMEMBER SAY NO TO GANGS AND THAT VIOLENCE ONLY LEADS TO MORE VIOLENCE!

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