Violence and crime prevention

Community crime prevention focus on increasing the participation of individual citizens, small groups and voluntary community organization in activities designated to reduce crime and violence in order to improve the quality of neighbourhood life. Crime prevention focuses on the social and economic conditions that contribute to violent and criminal behaviour.

What is violence?

The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or against oneself, another person or against a group of community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm and maldevelopment.

What is crime?

A crime is a deliberate act that causes physical or psychological harm, damage to loss or property and it is against the law. 

Why violence matters to the public health?

Violence has enormous health and social consequences. Violence results in many deaths everyday, particularly among young men and boys. Beyond these deaths many more men, women, boys and girls suffer from injuries, disability and ill-health as the result of violence.

Exposure to to violence can increase the risk of smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness and suicide 

Ways to prevent violence and crime

1. Avoid places known for violence 
2. Set up a neighborhood watch or a community patrol or working with the police
3. Make sure your streets and homes are well lighted 
4. Make sure that all the youth in the neighbourhood have positive ways to spend their spare time though organized recreation tutoring programs and volunteer opportunities.
5. Avoid drug and alcohol users 
6. Tell someone, if you you are the victim or are witness to violence

Crime and violence pose significant challenges to society. However, by addressing the root causes of crime, enhancing the criminal justice system,promoting community engagement and adopting proactive crime prevention strategies it is possible to reduce violence and crime  rates to create  safer communities.