Methodist Youth Assembly Goes Generous : Create opportunities for young people to talk about youth violence

Create opportunities for young people to talk about youth violence

In your churches and schools and communities, try to open up spaces and opportunities where young people — including those involved in violence — can talk about it. This is a difficult action, we know. And you’ll probably need to do this alongside professional adults — at least in helping you to set things up right. (But it might be that you can negotiate things such that in the actual gatherings, it’s just you as young people who are inside the space, face-to-face — with any adults on hand.)

If you can hear people’s stories it can often help you understand their motivations so much more — the reasons for their behaviour. And sometimes, it even enables you to see that there ate straightforward things that could be done that would change the factors contributing towards violent behaviour in your area. But you need to be brave and fix up these sort of safe sit-downs if you’re ever going to find out.

Tell us how you get on in your comments and tips below.