The news is replete with violence that is permeating our American culture. Assassinations, school shootings, church shootings, police being assaulted, street violence, protest violence, and political violence are filling our social media and newsfeeds. It is tragic to hear the devastation that this rampant violence has created. We are even witnessing youth violence in many of our communities.
I also hear the cries for the violence to stop from grieving victims, leaders and those impacted and frustrated by its impact. Yet aside from imprisoning those who have become violent we really don’t have many supports for those who may become violent.
What we do know is that the reasons and background for violence can be multi-dimensional and diverse. There can be biological factors, psychological factors, social and environmental factors and situational factors. Brain chemistry imbalance, mental illness, substance abuse, cognitive deficits, emotional dysregulation, early violent childhood experiences, family dynamics, drug abuse, peer influence, community factors, media exposure, weapon availability, poverty, oppression, discrimination and/or a blend of any of the above are possible contributors to violent acts.
It is rather obvious that problems that are this complex cannot easily be dealt with by a single approach. We have attempted to use incarceration as a strategy which is a temporary fix per case of violence. America imprisons more individuals than all of Europe. Yet we have not been able to slow down the prevalence of violence in our society.
What is ironic to me is that we have leaders who are advocates for stopping violence who may have power and resources to deal with the issue from the perspective of its prevention. Violence is committed by humans who have a personal narrative that needs to be addressed. Finding ways to provide the programs and relationships that can help individuals who have a propensity towards violence is a far more productive way to deal with this significant societal tragedy.
We have a significant number of individuals who are in our communities who are dysregulated, angry and have experienced violence that they feel is appropriate to use as a tool to get justice or some sense of purpose. Only through therapeutic or mentoring relationships will they be able to address and overcome those issues that have led to their violent actions.
At Lakeside we have the privilege to start early with the students that we provide programs for who are feeling the injustice, have the trauma or who are simply unable to regulate their emotions that could lead to violent actions later in life. We know that teaching them how to regulate their emotions and brain chemistry is a tool that will carry them into life in a positive and non-violent way. It can be done and it is being done! However, we need so much more in resources and programs to help youth and adults so that we have the ability to create a non-violent society. As we call out for ceasing the problem, perhaps we can think about how we can intervene in the lives of those who are potential violent offenders and provide interventions, approaches and hope to them prior to any further violent acts. This is the heart of true prevention!
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
