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VI youths lacking conflict resolution skills – Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit

- said DPP Office will work with schools to educate children on conflict resolution & civics
According to Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit, youths in the Virgin Islands seem to lack conflict resolution skills. Photo: Facebook
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has expressed a strong will to work with schools in an effort to drastically reduce the number of youths ending up before the courts, in prison, before social workers or even wounded or dead because of a lack of conflict resolution skills or knowledge. Photo: VINO/File
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has expressed a strong will to work with schools in an effort to drastically reduce the number of youths ending up before the courts, in prison, before social workers or even wounded or dead because of a lack of conflict resolution skills or knowledge. Photo: VINO/File
According to Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit, it is an unfortunate reality that too many of the Territory's teenagers end up on the wrong side of the law as a result of making poor decisions 'as they seem unaware that there are more ways of solving problems without violence'. Photo: VINO/File
According to Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit, it is an unfortunate reality that too many of the Territory's teenagers end up on the wrong side of the law as a result of making poor decisions 'as they seem unaware that there are more ways of solving problems without violence'. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has expressed a strong will to work with schools in an effort to drastically reduce the number of youths ending up before the courts, in prison, before social workers or even wounded or dead because of a lack of conflict resolution skills or knowledge.

This was an area touched on briefly by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit during her address at the Monday January 13, 2020 Special Sitting at Sakal Place to mark the opening of the 2020 Law Year of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC).

Unfortunate reality

While not presenting figures to substantiate her claim, the acting DPP said, “It is an unfortunate reality that our teenagers end up on the wrong side of the law as a result of making poor decisions as they seem unaware that there are more ways of solving problems without violence.”

Scatliffe-Esprit said the Office of the DPP is aiming to develop and implement a programme in all schools to teach students civics and dispute resolution.

“This is an initiative that we intend to seek the assistance of and work with the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Education.”

She said they are of the view those programmes are essential for preserving the Territory’s youths, “And hopefully reducing youth crimes and from youths becoming criminals and safeguard the future of our Territory.”

Community projects

High on the agenda for the Office of the DPP is the reintroduction of its community projects.

“These projects will be focused on educating the public and persons on the role, functions of the DPP and the criminal justice system,” Scatliffe-Esprit said.

Back in 2014, the Office of the DPP adopted the Willard Wheatley and the Alexandrina Maduro primary schools. Unfortunately, its interaction with the schools was postponed following the 2017 hurricanes; however, according to Scatliffe-Esprit, it resumed last year.

The DPP is now looking to have the project include secondary schools.

15 Responses to “VI youths lacking conflict resolution skills – Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit”

  • ?? (15/01/2020, 10:47) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Kudos to ODPP efforts with the schools !!!
    • tretretrete (15/01/2020, 14:29) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      The only person that refers to the DPP's office as the ODPP is the current acting director. I wonder who wrote the above comment?
  • good move (15/01/2020, 11:02) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Very good idea. The youths need some positive intervention, instead of just punishment. A lot of them don't know better.
  • blame the Parents (15/01/2020, 11:03) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its all bad parenting, read some of the comments on these news site and you see exactly why they can resolve anything. Additionally, bad education is a contributing factor but that's for another news post.
  • Former Teacher (15/01/2020, 11:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The schools need to incorporate Peer Mediation
  • HMMM (15/01/2020, 12:32) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    pure assishness, as every body wants their two mins in the spot light
  • JA (15/01/2020, 14:28) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where was this young lady all the time, it’s only now she realize that. The DPP office cannot even really with the backlog of cases because they always goes to court not ready, but now she offering to help schools, let’s see how this one plays out.
    • JA (15/01/2020, 15:28) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      I agree with JA this woman needs to get rid of the backlog of cases under her watch instead of here smugging she dentures.
  • tretretrete (15/01/2020, 16:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't know why the people alway want to go in the school and help them deal with issues and problems. These issuse don't start in the schools they start in the homes so they need to tackle the parents. Parent who don't teach their children right from wrong and simple conflict resoultion at home with their syblings. They don't know how to deal with it at school or in social gathering. Schools can't do everything and when they do it goes out the door when they leave and go home.
  • cnn (15/01/2020, 16:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thing to talk
  • SaSayay (16/01/2020, 09:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A deliberate effort accomplished a bona fide population unrecognizable of the character and characteristic of a Tolian/VIslander and now here talking froth.
    Call in more of the upper Caribbean police force and build another prison. You cannot change DNA, generational curses and behaviour.
  • Pleaeeeas (16/01/2020, 11:11) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    A quick inquiry of Jamaica,DR,Guiana,StKitts ,St Vincent,Trinidad...these up an coming lil hoods are the offshoots of parents from these places.
    Find out how they deal with them,crime statistics...fir donkey years nothing has been effectve,not even capital punishment. They are deported in droves from Europe and America..it is their natural temperament, this behaviour .
    Tola as it was done ,sinking in the septic it created. Garbage in garbage out . .
  • me again (17/01/2020, 06:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ pleaeeeas. The countries (islands) mentioned are Definetly in the news with High stats BUT I think the LACK of parenting ( more so ;THE LACK OF FATHERS )in the homes has led to a LOT of these wayward boys/ young men because they simply over power / outsmart their over worked SINGLE mother who is “ bussing her arse” to provide for them and give them things she never had . Home training has gone down the drain as child and parent are EQUAL in the homes .Ask any of them on the street when last they help their mother wash dishes / sweep out /.clean the bath room ?
    • @me again (17/01/2020, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed ...the family breakdown contributes to the delinquency in most cases. The mothers too,,in most cases came from fatherless and or rotating male partners of their mothers. A cycle,a way of life,a generational culture. Therefore,in my opinion, the fault is in the homes and that is where the counseling should be directed. For starters,the emphasis should be on birth control. The children are victims of the irresponsible behaviour of their parents. It is what they know see live and learn. They are powerless in this matter to affect any change in these their formative years.
  • Rachet (17/01/2020, 11:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    It takes two but ,women have the final say as to whether or not a specific nan may use her as a sperm receptacle and his baby momma. Knowing a man for more than a lil while,his background his family and their values ,lgives sone insight into his character and outlook on children he father. Women,many of them " make mistake" repeatedly and can't keep up.
    The BVI just celebrated ,lauded and gifted the first two births of 2020 and they were both single mothers and non Tolians including the named fathers.Single mothers can raise and do raise children to be worthwhile so being single is more often than not,a cop out..
    Barack Obama is an example.


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