Professor Ronald Young (foreground), dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of the West Indies, in conversation with Dr. Deanna Ashley, executive director of the Violence Prevention Alliance, during a forum held a the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
The increased use of scientific research and data has been put forward by a University of the West Indies (UWI) academic as a necessary tool in the fight against crime and violence.
Professor Ronald Young, dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the UWI, made the recommendation during a Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) forum, held yesterday at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.
"I think science has to play a very important role, simply because I think one of the critical issues is a fundamental understanding of the fact that we are all people, we all have a biology and it is our biology that influences our behaviour," he told The Gleaner.
Effective policies
In his presentation, Professor Young said an understanding of the scientific causes of violence and criminal behaviour could lead to the formulation of effective policies to battle crime.
He said this approach should be coupled with social, economic and political approaches as the means to tackle the mammoth problem of crime and violence.
"Indeed, it is our physical makeup, our biology, that influences our sociology, and that influences our psychology and, therefore, in a sense, it is appropriate that we start off from this point of view. We must understand the biological basis of our activities, because this is what underpins our behaviour and the control of our behaviour."
While science was given as a means of battling the bane of crime and violence, another issue raised was the impact of violent acts in the society on children.
Dr. Judith Leiba, a child psychiatrist who spoke at the forum, said parents could help their children in the formative years, from birth to age six, when their mental development is crucial.
"From a preventive point of view, it is really good parenting, fostering good emotional development from early, especially in the first five to six years, because if we can promote good emotional development in our children, that will go a far way in offsetting the amount of violence that is manifested later."
However, if prevention is not achieved due to community violence, exposure from family or television, and the child develops post-traumatic stress disorder, then parents should try to get professional help for their child.
Dr. Leiba is, however, recommending that, as the way forward, the Government should try and teach parenting in the pre-pregnancy stage, such as in high schools, so that young people could know what they should expect when they have children.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This is an anxiety disorder that a person may develop after experiencing or seeing a life-threatening event such as :
Natural disasters.
Stabbing, shooting.
Witnessing the sudden death or assault of another person.
Severe automobile or other accidents
Physical and sexual abuse.
Symptoms of PTSD
Repeated physical or emotional symptoms when reminded of the event.
Showing more sudden and extreme emotional reactions.
Becoming depressed and withdrawn.
Having problems falling or staying asleep.
Where to get help
Nearest health centre
Hospital
Doctor
Public sector child and adolescent mental health clinics
Bustamante Hospital for Children
University Hospital of the West Indies
Counselling centres
