On 12th November 2012 was the launch of the “Building a Safer Community – Communities Against Violence in Anguilla” initiative (also known as CAVA) of the Anguillan Red Cross with financial support of the Governor’s Office and technical support of the Canadian Red Cross. The primary aim of the CAVA project is to see a reduction in violence related incidents amongst young people aged 12-24. The project is in response to the growing rates of crime and violence experienced by Anguilla in recent years.
In the evenings of Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 November, 2012, Ms Valerie Whiting, “10 Steps Trainer,” representing the Canadian Red Cross, conducted the initial 10-hour “10 Steps to Safer Communities” training with Anguilla Red Cross staff, programme directors, and youth volunteers.
The “10 Steps” provides communities a road map to identify incidences of violence in their communities and who is most vulnerable, develop strategies to prevent and mitigate this violence, and how to mobilize the community in the implementation of these strategies.
Upon completion of the training, the Anguilla Red Cross team have trained 16 Red Cross Youth Facilitators in the methodology, thus empowering them as leaders in their communities to replicate the trainings.
As of yet the training has been well received, with comments including how necessary it is to address violence in an organized approach, given that its causes are so complicated. It has been evident the importance of such a programme, given the anecdotes of participants in the first evening of the training. According to Ms Whiting, “Though Anguilla has a reputation of being a relatively safe island, compared to its Caribbean sisters; we must remember that if just one person falls victim to violence in Anguilla – that one person is more than 6% of the population! In country of this size, one violent act can have monumental ramifications. However, the time is still right to look at prevention as the key to turning the tide.”
As a product of the training, action plans will be developed to take the “10 Steps” training into communities of Anguilla through the Red Cross Youth Facilitators, as supported by staff and programme managers. Based in the Community Centres, these Facilitators will conduct community risk mapping to identify those most vulnerable to violence, where they are vulnerable, and what services currently exist to prevent and mitigate violence.
Safer Environments Committees will be formed in each community, involving all populations represented such as men, women, children, the elderly, and especially youth. These Committees will be tasked with involvement in the mapping process, and leadership in working with the communities to develop programmes that engage vulnerable populations in preventative measures (such as camps, sports teams and leadership activities). The Anguilla Red Cross will accompany Facilitators and Committees in the communities to provide technical and logistical support.
Ms. Whiting will also be planning with the Anguilla Red Cross on Thursday and Friday to concretize action plans and how they may best support communities in the development of the “10 Steps to Safer Communities” process. She will also accompany the Anguilla Red Cross on Saturday, 1 December at 8:30 am for “Social Solution” on Radio Anguilla.
Upon completion of the one-year project, the Anguilla Red Cross hopes to reach a minimum of 50 young persons across the country, who are influenced to be good citizens, avoid gang culture, resist the temptations of drug trafficking and usage, and be positive role models to their peers.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
