Prime Minister Holness Signals New Phase of National Effort to Curb Violence Under Next Administration
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling social violence in all its forms. He noted that while significant progress has been made in reducing organized violence, particularly gang related murder and serious crimes, the next term of the government will see intensified efforts to confront the wider culture of violence that permeates many aspects of Jamaican life.
Speaking at the East Central St. James Scholarship Awards Function, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that while the government’s security strategy has led to measurable success in lowering murders and other major crime, true peace will only be achieved when violence, beyond crime, is rooted out of the society.
“Peace is a central focus of our security strategy. That strategy must ultimately make Jamaica a peaceful country. But addressing murder and crime is only one part of it. There are other elements of peace that we have also been addressing, and areas that require long-term interventions,” said Prime Minister Holness.
He acknowledged that while crime remains a priority, violence requires a different kind of response, which is why the government commissioned a comprehensive study to guide national action on the issue.
“We empaneled a commission called the National Commission on Violence Prevention, chaired by esteemed Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan. She has delivered that report to me. And that report will be used to guide the government as we seek to deal with violence in the home, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and child abuse; violence by the state; how children are disciplined in schools and state homes; how the police and other security forces deal with our citizens.”
The Prime Minister noted that while criminal acts are often addressed through policing, the pervasive nature of social violence demands broader, coordinated responses.
“If there is violence, there is really no peace. So, this issue of social violence has to be addressed.”
He said the next administration will expand and accelerate the work already begun, turning the findings of the Violence Prevention Commission into actionable programmes to create a safer Jamaica.
“In our next administration, that is going to be a huge part of our social thrust, how we remove violence as a tool to resolve conflict in our society,” the Prime Minister declared.
He reaffirmed the government’s vision of making Jamaica safer and more prosperous, where citizens can live, work, raise families, do business and retire in paradise.