Youth Task Force Launched To Strengthen Crime Prevention
The Policy and Community Support Office (PASCO) under the Ministry of Homeland Security has launched an audiovisual production, The Resilient Youth, alongside an Interim Youth Task Force aimed at strengthening crime prevention initiatives.
The initiatives follow a nationwide psychological intervention pilot project conducted in schools.
According to PASCO Director Zaheer Ali, the initiatives are intended to strengthen the focus on crime prevention among young people.
« As a country we are grappling with crime and criminality, and if it’s the proper term, I know I am among many psychologists and social workers. Youth delinquency, violence and other ills – we are asking for answers; we are asking for a response from a prevention of crime context. The agencies are trying very hard from a crime detection using tools like the State of Emergency, but for this forum we are on prevention. »
Mr Ali also said the initiatives will complement the placement of police officers in schools.
The impactful two-minute video production features several stakeholders, including members of national security, psychologists, athletes, youth mentors and criminologists, sharing words of encouragement using the word ‘RESILIENCE’ as an acronym.
The video will be shown on cinema screens across the country.
According to psychologist Anu Bissessar, the initiative’s success lies in its ability to help young people access support to deal with the challenges they face.
« Young people should not be expected to be strong on their own; they need people, places and services that help them become strong. That is the heart of the psychosocial approach. The psychological perspective considers what happens within a young person, their thoughts, emotions, sense of self and ability to cope, the social aspect considers what happens around them. »
Acting Prison Commissioner Elvin Scanterbury hailed the initiative as timely.
« As the Acting Commissioner of Prisons, I see firsthand the importance of early intervention, guidance, and encouragement. When we invest in resilience, we reduce vulnerability; when we empower youths, we strengthen families; and when we nurture homes, we will build a safer Trinidad and Tobago. »
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Dr Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, also championed the initiative.
« But two minutes viewed by every person seeing a movie, everywhere they go, two minutes of commercial on TV, it lands subconsciously, and initiatives like this are the way to go. »
Other stakeholders in attendance, including Acting Director CEO of Children’s Authority Alaina Boochoon and Welfare Officer of the National PTA Association Jenelle Sebastien-Reyes, also celebrated the successful launch.
Member of the newly established Youth Task Force, Rondell Walker, shared the impact he hopes the initiatives will have on young people.
« We are trying to let youths know that they are not alone, you know they always have someone that they could come to talk to, someone that is supporting them in the background. Sometimes as a youth you don’t know where you will turn to sometimes, and sometimes it might be confusing, so all you need is that guidance so you will have it. »
Other important bodies involved in the completion of the production were UNICEF, the UNDP and 47 Productions.
