Who are you? - Emergency Brake

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As violence emerges from different aspects we believe
the prevention work also has to tackle the issue from
different levels:
Therefore, the strategies to deal with the issue must be
focused on three levels of intervention:
Primary prevention, with strategies concerning the
general public and aiming to change the social, cultural
and financial structures that breed violence in all its
forms.
Secondary prevention, that focuses on the ”high-risk
groups” and intervention in and with them.
Tertiary prevention, which aims at the appropriate
handling of violent incidents that have already occurred,
and the reduction of the danger of a return to violence.
The efficacy of interventions at these levels has been
evaluated. We know that primary intervention has the
most positive, permanent and long-term results. Secondary
prevention has only limited results as its effects
are not long lasting and to be effective it needs repeated
actions. Tertiary prevention is short-term and less
efficient 13 .
Specifically with regard to dealing with the phenomenon
of violence in young people, the interventions aim to
limit the risk factors and/or strengthen the protective
factors.
Risk factors could be:
Inadequate support and security within the family
Economical and social disadvantages
Rejection by the existing educational system, which
often functions not as a mechanism of social and cultural
integration, but excludes certain groups of the
student population (school system very often are too
performance-oriented)
Negative future perspectives and disorientation in general
Abuse
Protective factors could include:
Preventive work Introductory part II
Development of self-esteem
Becoming aware of their social role, accompanied by
recognition in the community
Techniques that help to handle violent situations or
situations where they get provoked
Ability to express feelings
Development of communication skills
To have values that refer to solidarity and respect
Equal opportunities for each individual
The improvement of living conditions
Ability to adapt to new situations
Ability for self-reflection and for self-reconstruction
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Agathono, 2001
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