Executive Director of the National Youth Service (NYS), Rev. Adinhair Jones
The Editor
The Gleaner Co. Ltd
7 North Street
CSO
Kingston
Dear Sir/Madam,
Recently three males attached to the NYS were murdered in separate incidents over a two weeks period. As an organization strategically engaged in curbing anti social and violent behaviour among youth, the incidents have enforced the urgency of building a critical mass of pro-social youth to help turn back the culture of violence threatening to overtake Jamaica.
It is well known that young males are the main victims and perpetrators of violent crimes in the society. In the three incidents referred to, there are indications that two died at the hands of violent youths within their age group. The third died at the hands of an alleged murderer while in custody of the police.
We extend our sympathies to the bereaved families as they come to terms with their loss. In the same vein we wish to bring to the attention of the nation again, the vulnerabilities of our youth to all kinds of negative influences as well as the extent to which youths are endangered in our society.
The NYS believes the solution to the problem of violence has to be multifaceted, with more deliberate strategies to address the root causes. In that regard, we have just concluded a phase of engagement of peace facilitators (youth aged 15-19 years) from major violence prone areas in inner city Kingston, Spanish Town and Montego Bay. These 90 youth are available to the peace development process of our country.
Since we take the position that the media has to play a major role in helping to set the agenda for a more gentle, secure and safe Jamaica, please allow us to use this medium to call the attention of the public to the media campaign against gender based violence. It is our view that acceptance of gender based violence is one of the root causes of violence that we must address urgently along with others.
Yours sincerely,
Adinhair Jones (Reverend)
Executive Director
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