February 3, 2017: “For many of us in this country, the crime situation continues to be a cause for concern and it is important that we all play a part. What we really want is for the participants to go back to their own communities and form a RAPP (Resistance and Prevention Programme) interagency group and work with at-risk youth, thereby becoming agents of change in social crime prevention, especially as it applies to targeted “hot spots” where crime is intense.” This statement from Ms Yolande De Leon, the RAPP Country Coordinator for the Pan American Development Foundation, encapsulated the overarching intent of a recently held intervention programme, which included two days of training entitled, “Crime Prevention Among Youth.” The sessions took place at the Police Academy, St. James, consecutively, on January 18 and 19 as well as on January 25 and 26, 2017.
Key personnel from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services participated in the RAPP Session which was targeted at crime prevention specialists from the Police, Defence Force, Prisons, Government Ministries and Civil Society. The Ministry also had the opportunity to present information on the services available at the National Family Services Division, which includes counselling and psychosocial support for issues such as domestic violence, depression, parenting, abuse or incest, marital challenges and drug abuse. A presentation was also made on the Ministry’s Retirees’ Adolescent Partnership Programme which is an intergenerational programme, utilizing the skills and experience of retired persons to provide assistance and supervision for challenged youth (9-21 yrs.).
The training exposed participants to various risk and protective factors for crime and violence among vulnerable groups, as well as the role of multi-agency collaboration in the development of crime prevention strategies.
Among the topics discussed were the following:
· Introduction to the Root Causes of Youth Crime & Violence;
· Multiagency Approaches to Social Crime Prevention;
· Crime Prevention through Environmental Design;
· The Role of Evidence-Based Programs.
The initiative forms part of an ongoing regional effort in Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and the Bahamas, which seeks to enhance each of these countries’ social crime prevention efforts by working with at-risk youth, police and other stakeholders. The Resistance and Prevention Programme (RAPP) has been ongoing for the past two-years and sponsored by the United States’ State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services was pleased to be part of this joint effort in addressing crime through a social crime prevention approach.
RAPP time: Yolande De Leon, Trinidad and Tobago RAPP Country Coordinator. De Leon states that the PADF continues to achieve results through capacity building courses, youth experimental learning, community and youth dialogues and community action plans.
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For further information please contact:
The Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
868-623-2608 Ext. 5405/5432