Addressing Violence and Crime: A Public Health Perspective

Dr. Jeanita Richardson Speaks at National Consultation and 90-Day Campaign

Dr. Jeanita Richardson, Professor of Public Health & Policy at Windsor University, recently spoke at the National Consultation and 90-Day Campaign Against Violence and Crime in Basseterre, St. Kitts. As a guest presenter, she helped strengthen the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’s position on addressing crime and violence from a public health perspective.

Dr. Richardson emphasized that violence should be viewed as a public health issue because it shares key characteristics with other health problems and has widespread consequences for individuals and societies. She noted that violence has identifiable risk factors such as poverty, exposure to violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, a sense of not belonging and having worth in the society in which you live.

“These risk factors can be addressed through preventative measures. Addressing violence through a public health lens allows for the development of targeted prevention programmes such as community-based interventions, education campaigns, and policies that address the root causes of violence itself,” Dr. Richardson said.

The event attracted participation from a broad spectrum of society, representing the church and religious institutions, political parties, sports associations, social clubs, private sector businesses, law enforcement, and other community-based organizations.

Dr. Richardson applauded the inclusive approach adopted by the government, noting that effective violence prevention requires collaboration across all sectors of society. She emphasized that viewing violence as a public health issue provides a comprehensive framework for understanding its causes, consequences, and solutions.

“A public health approach encourages collaboration between governments and businesses and churches and schools and universities and law enforcement and other community organisations to create comprehensive strategies to prevent violence,” she said. “By treating violence as a public health issue, interventions then, can be designed based on evidence and data and research, ensuring that the resources allocated are reaching their most effective strategies.”

Dr. Richardson noted that there is evidence to support that violence can be prevented. However, she stressed that effectively addressing this complex issue requires long-term commitment and culturally informed and sustained interventions.

“Boilerplate interventions do not work. We can borrow from them, but they all must be informed by the cultures and the communities that we seek to serve. We need to simultaneously be developing and engaging in long-term strategies while we also apply the short-term social band-aids that we experience in our communities,” said Dr. Richardson.

While the National Consultation and 90-Day Campaign Against Violence and Crime has been lauded as a positive and important step, Dr. Richardson urged officials in St. Kitts and Nevis to maintain the momentum, highlighting that the “commitment to violence prevention is more of a marathon than a sprint.”

Conclusion

Dr. Jeanita Richardson’s remarks emphasized the importance of addressing violence and crime from a public health perspective. Her expertise and insights highlight the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to prevent violence and promote a safer and healthier society.

FAQs

* What is the public health perspective on addressing violence and crime?
+ The public health perspective views violence and crime as a public health issue, recognizing that it shares key characteristics with other health problems and has widespread consequences for individuals and societies.
* What are the risk factors for violence?
+ The risk factors for violence include poverty, exposure to violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, a sense of not belonging and having worth in the society in which you live.
* How can violence be prevented?
+ Violence can be prevented through preventative measures, such as community-based interventions, education campaigns, and policies that address the root causes of violence itself.