Violence Prevention & Possibilities for Health Professionals

RAPUDO HAWI

Medical Peace Workshop, April 12th & 13th, 2014

Crime and Violence are Separate Concepts

Crime is an act that violates a law.

Violence is the intentional use of physical force, threatened or actual, that can lead to injury, death, psychological harm, or deprivation.

Both undermine citizen security, the fundamental right to live and develop in a safe environment.

Violence prevention is

• Springboard for Knowledge Sharing • Policy evidence for Legislative + Institutional change • Viable mechanism for Citizen Involvement &

Participation

Crime and Violence are Separate Concepts

Crime is an act that violates a law.

Violence is the intentional use of physical force, threatened or actual, that can lead to injury, death, psychological harm, or deprivation.

Both undermine citizen security, the fundamental right to live and develop in a safe environment.

Violence prevention is

• Springboard for Knowledge Sharing • Policy evidence for Legislative + Institutional change • Viable mechanism for Citizen Involvement &

Participation

Re-engineering Our Thinking

OLD

The State v. the Offender

Offender breaking the criminal code

Solution:

1. Punishment and Deterrence

2. Change offenders’ disposition to commit crime

Victim Offender

Situation

Solution:

Intervene in the situation/ risk factors that produces Violence

NEW

Theory of Change

Changes from Violence Prevention

a) Increase feelings of safety (for residents); and,

b) Decrease incidents of Violence and Crime

Community identified 3 conditions to achieve these changes:

+ + =

Safe and welcoming

physical environment

Actively engaged residents

Actively engaged

and responsive partners

FEELINGS OF SAFETY

INCIDENTS OF violence

Risk factors accumulate in Community/Institutions

6

SOCIETAL

COMMUNITY

SCHOOLS/HOSPITAL/

PEERS

FAMILY

INDIVIDUAL

Ecological Risk Model (Source: WHO, 2002)

Examples of Risk Factors:

• Societal level: culture of violence, high

levels of inequality; organized crime

• Community level: gun and drug

availability, low social cohesion and

trust, urban decay

• Schools/Hospital/Peers level: peers

who are gang members, school

violence, health related

• Family level: harsh parenting style;

domestic violence and abuse; drug

abuse

• Individual-level: biological (gender,

age); low self esteem; inability to

regulate emotions

Multi-Sectoral Approach

Promote integrated and multi-sectoral approaches in violence prevention

Targeting Risk + vulnerable groups

Social prevention

Situational prevention-

Space related

Strengthening criminal justice institutions

Police

Judiciary

Prisons

Linking local to national

Violence Observatory

National Government

Policies

County Government Plans

1. Community Safety Forum as launch-pad for partners /At-risk groups

2. Crime Data, Patterns and trends from Kisii Police Station + Chief Office + Ram Hospital + Children Office into Observatory

3. Community Safety Audit + Plan Consultations with Core team-FBO, Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, Hospital, County government, Planning Department & Police Station

4. Training and Capacity Building: World Bank Institute and Kenya School of Government-Crime and Violence Prevention, CJPC Safety Audit & Crime Observatory

Navigating Prevention In Community

Safety Data for Violence Prevention

• 73 % high prevalence of Drug and substance abuse. Youth at Car wash were likely offenders arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods every month.

• Poor utilization and Management of Public Space. 10,000 Motorbikes operating in Town valued at Kshs 800 million, but risk ½ of revenue to injuries, insecurity or accidents

• 65% strong association between Sexual Based Violence and Alcohol abuse. 200 entertainments spots employ about 1,000 bar attendants exposed to sexual assault, rape, support teen prostitution, drug/Alcohol abuse,

84 % existence of vigilantes, 52% pay for protective services Kisii Police Station crime report: Petty crimes were 5917 of 6678 (2008), 5816 of 6475 (2009) , 4209 of 4891 (2010) and 1139 of (2011)

Mobilizing Communities into Violence Prevention

Community Safety Strategies 1. Community priorities-Public

Spaces; Youth Violence, Drugs and substance abuse; Restoring formal Justice

2. Community Forum- 50% (At risk groups) + 30% (Community) + 20% partners/Govt actors

3. Community Action Plans • Local Safety Initiative • Collect data on crime and

violence • Monitor policing service

delivery + Accountability • Document Community voices

Journey + Stories + Photos

0 Example of Car Wash Risk As Champion of Prevention

Facts and Data

Group Daily Income for 15 members = 15 members X Kshs 600 X 30 days= Kshs 270,000

10 Carwash income in Kisii – Kshs 2.7 Million

Loss ½ of savings to drugs , Alcohol, injuries and police arrests = 1 million

Work with them

1) Regulations restricts use of alcohol and drugs at the station

2) Campaign on alcohol and drugs as hindrance to investment and youth innovation

3) Partnership + Matchup scheme for those give up alcohol and drug

4) Customer Satisfaction feedback (desk)

Possibilities for Health Professional

Functions Partnership

Assessment and

Research

• Hospital Observatory that has data + facts on Community, Intimate

Partner, Domestic violence

• Educational Research on Violence prevention

• Documentation and Reporting of Best Practices (HIV/AIDS,

Collaborations and

Participation

• Model for Doctor – Patient Conflict Violence

• Community consultations /projects for (youth (rehabilitation + other risk

groups) that offer alternative-to-violence

• Communication systems that help share information on plans and

policies regarding violence prevention- (Web platform for pregnant

mothers )

• Space utilization and Management within Health facilities that cause

injuries, accidents and death

Preparedness and

Planning

• Emergency response campaign for area prone to disaster victims

• Skills programs on first aid, mediation and conflict transformation

Laws and Regulations • Policy advocacy on laws regarding forensic evidence,

• Review Health professional’s within county framework regarding violence

prevention

Thank You & For enquiries

Tel: 0720975498

Email: rapudo.hawi@usalamaforum.org

www.usalamaforum.org