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Gangs to be taught banter better than blades |
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Thursday, 14 February 2008 |
Young Scots involved with gangs are to be taught to resolve their problems without resorting to violence under a new £200,000 initiative launched by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today.
On a visit to Govan to discuss gang issues, MacAskill said that workshops and other programmes aimed at challenging territorialism and building non-violent conflict resolution skills, or “banter not blades”, could provide pathways out of gang life for those already involved.
The projects form part of the ‘Collective Violence’ strand of the Violence Reduction Unit’s anti-violence campaign.
MacAskill said:
“I hope we can persuade more of these youngsters involved in gangs - or on the cusp of gang membership - to think again about whether gang life is really a protection from harm. And I hope that better-informed professional staff can work with these youngsters to help them resolve conflicts without violence - using banter more readily than a blade.
“It'll not happen overnight, but I believe offering more choices and chances for young people can help us turn the tide on violence in Scotland and give the next generation hope for the future. By working together, we can make Scotland a better place.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 14 February 2008 )
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