Youth, Peace and Security Case Study, Jamaica

Jamaica’s peace and security issues are characterized by violence resulting from interpersonal conflicts, gang violence and organized crime. Violent crimes tend to be geographically concentrated in vulnerable lower socioeconomic communities with a weakened authority of the state, although, crimes have become more dispersed in recent times and still remains fluid. Currently, violence is the fourth leading cause of premature death in Jamaica after diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Youth are the major segment of the population that are affected by crime and violence, both as victims and perpetrators.