Background to the Research

• In response to a report carried out in interface areas throughout Belfast, a seminar was convened to discuss the effects of violence on young people in these areas and their role in the violence.
  

Main Findings

• Those in interface areas have suffered three kinds of disadvantage; severe poverty, the threat of violence and limited access to services and facilities.

The Cost of the Troubles Study

• Since 1969, approximately 3,500 people have been killed in the violence in NI, 911 of these in the 18-23 age group. Deaths of those under 24 accounts for 35.73% of all deaths in the 'troubles'.
• 90.5% of deaths to children through the 'troubles' are caused by shooting and explosions.
• An initial breakdown of deaths caused by the 'troubles' shows that 52.6% are in an area that contains only 22.2% of NI households, 26.7% occur in an area that contains only 7.4% of NI households.
• After the 1991 Census, it is estimated that 50% of NI's population live in an area where 90% of the inhabitants are of their own religion. This causes problems, because although the residents may feel safer, they prove an easier target for those intent on sectarian violence, and also suffer from other violence, such as paramilitary policing.
• There is a strong link between deprivation and violence caused by the troubles, with those who suffer most from deprivation also being those most affected by the violence.
• Research undertaken in 1985 showed that just under 20% of 10-11 year olds had either been in, or been close to, a bomb explosion. The same percentage had had a friend or relative killed or injured in the troubles. Similar research carried out in 1990 showed that 90% of 9-11 year olds had seen a hijacked vehicle burning, 50% had seen gun shootings, and 37% bomb explosions.
• Support systems for children who have witnessed violence are not adequate; troubled behaviour is often interpreted as disciplinary problems and family support is unreliable as other family members will also have suffered from the violence.
• Violence in society has become normal, reinforced by positive media portrayals of violent behaviour. This is especially problematic for adolescent boys who are drawn into a culture of violence. More males have been killed in the troubles than females.
• There are no long-term government policies in place to deal with the effect of violence on children and the impact it will have on their future. Any projects developed need to include the local communities and take account of the fact that there are multiple factors affecting these communities, including violence, all of which need to be addressed.

The Inner East Youth Project

• The aim of the project was to give young people in Inner East Belfast more to do with their leisure time and to get them involved in the community. Youth work staff met with young people on their territory and got their input on what they felt their area needed. Although the project is in its early stages, its partnership approach appears to be working.

The Outer West Belfast Social Economy Proposal

• This proposal involves the provision of work for young people in the 18-25 age bracket, including training and childcare facilities. The aim is to reduce the very high levels of unemployment for the age group in West and North Belfast, and to enable them to get more involved in their community.

The Breakwater Project

• The project is aimed at 17-21 year olds in both the Nationalist and Loyalist communities, encouraging them to interact with each other through a variety of projects. Phase one involves separate workshops, where each group talks with their peers about the issues which affect them. This leads to phase two where the groups from each area meet on a residential weekend designed to encourage teamwork and leadership.

Recommendations

• The needs of young people need to be further understood; both by getting their input and by further analysing the extensive research already done, perhaps also employing new research techniques.
• More provisions need to be put in place to encourage young people to get involved in youth schemes, especially in terms of availability, extent and funding.