Youth violence mainly subtle and psychological: Student
Monday, November 22, 2004
Roderick Benns recently spoke with Paul Jones, a senior high school student at St. Peter's Secondary School in Peterborough, on his thoughts about youth violence and youth contribution. Paul was a key creator of a video project called Voices Against Violence, now available for use in schools.

Peaceful Communities: What is the real picture of youth violence in schools in this area? Is it a case of widespread concern or just a few high profile cases that catch attention? How would you frame this?

Paul: Yes it is of concern but on many different levels. For our project we defined violence in a broad, wide sweeping manner, from physical all the way through to economic violence. Violence is prevalent in our schools, mostly in the subtle forms of psychological and social abuse between students and groups of students.

Sometimes there are escalations and the situation becomes a physical or verbal confrontation, but in general these situations are rare. Students are aware of the high profile cases that catch the headlines, but also know about the less exciting. Just as a side note you must also realize that violence is in our wider community and not just something affecting youth. We see war everyday on the television, people who murder, or hurt others. So it can't be merely made out to be a youth issue.

Peaceful Communities: From your research, what are a couple of the single biggest things that might help youth violence decrease?

Paul: I think, firstly, education is essential. The message needs to continue to go out to the youth that violence in any form is unacceptable. Next, there needs to be real leadership within each school from the staff, students, and parents. Our schools are a microcosm for our communities and if we want peaceful communities we need to start within our schools.

Peaceful Communities: What are some things you have done that you believe have made a contribution to 'community building' within your school or the city?

Paul: I know in the grand scheme of things I have done very little. But it is my hope that the film project I helped on, and my work through various community committees and youth organizations has, in some way, impacted people and encouraged them to work to build a peaceful community and resolve situations in a non-violent manner.

Peaceful Communities: Adults are always trying to figure out how youth can 'be reached?' What is the answer?

Paul: This question I always find funny, because it seems so obvious. Adults need to talk to youth about violence in an open and respecting manner, (and) the discussion needs to be geared toward the appropriate age range. The discussion needs to be informative and needs to be in the faces of the youth so that it can become something personal and something they take to heart. The youth of today have been raised on computers and with television so with our project we attempted to reach them through the use of multimedia. The major thing is the communication needs to engage the youth and needs to keep their attention.

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