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Published byKerrie Nelson Modified over 9 years ago
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1 Prevention of Firearms Death and Injury among Youth
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2 Overview Background Problem : Firearms and Youth Risk Factors Stakeholder Roles Tools Next Steps
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3 Approach to develop community based tools which can be used to support implementation of the firearms law in Quebec focus on vulnerable groups intervention models - for urban and rural contexts.
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4 Firearm death Public health experts view firearm death like disease firearm death has common cause availability and use of firearms
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5 Firearms and Youth suicide injury and accidental death family violence young offenders: taxing, gang activity
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6 Objectives Understand youth suicide and victimisation with firearms The Problem The Risk factors Interventions Implementation issues Evaluation
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7 Problem:Misconceptions Some misconceptions are that: Only criminals, gangs misuse firearms Problem is handguns not rifles and shotguns Homicide is major cause of death with firearms (not suicide)
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8 PROBLEM:Suicide CANADA Suicide in Canada: 3760 per year Second leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds Firearms are the most common instrument for males (25%)
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9 Suicide Quebec 1300 suicides, 1/3 of total in Canada 2nd highest rate in world 1/3 of suicides with firearms - most common is.22 rifle males, youth and elderly at risk particular problem in rural areas first nations in Quebec high risk group
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10 Suicide - Youth Leading cause of death of 15-24 year olds in Quebec annual average firearm suicides for youth Canada -155 (rate is 3.56) Quebec- 46 (rate is 4.49)
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11 Problem: Family Violence 30% of spousal murders are with firearms 50% of teens killed in family violence with firearms 80% are legally owned firearms presence of firearms in violent families : tool of intimidation escalation of violence into murder increases with firearms effect on children of violence: future victims, aggressors
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12 Youth Victimisation Canada: 23% victims of crime 15-24 year old (11% of population) Youth is largest group of victims of violent crime in Montreal bullying and victimisation can lead to victims becoming violent with guns (Taber, Alberta; Colombine, CSDM incidents)
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13 Youth Offenders and Gangs Montreal: Gang gun violence (1997 - 4 murders, 11 attempted murders) firearms play role in escalation of intimidation and violence certain Montreal schools find guns or replicas monthly
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14 Risk Factors Suicide- General Personal Predisposition (Previous suicidal behaviour, mental disorders, substance abuse Social environment (lack of social network, unemployment, physical or sexual abuse) Life event (death, illness, humiliating events, interpersonal problems)
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15 Risk Factors : Youth Suicide Personal Predisposition - poor adaptation, learning difficulties, impulsivity previous suicidal behaviour, mental disorders, difficulty with sexual orientation,chronic difficulty with peer relations Social environment (lack of social network, mental disorders in family, unemployment, physical or sexual abuse, neglect) Life event (death, divorce, rejection of parents, substance use, academic failure, pressure, interpersonal problems)
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16 Risk Factors :Youth Violence (previous points) aggression, anti-social behaviour family violence poor parenting: lack of emotional interaction, lack of parental supervision, inconsistant, harsh discipline impulsivity, desire for power, imitative
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17 Lethality Model Factors Affecting the Frequency of Violent Events Incidence of Violence Injury Outcomes Factors Affecting the Severity of Violent Incidents GUNS
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18 Links to firearm access Risk of suicide in urban homes with guns: 5x increase Risk of homicide in urban homes with guns: 3x increase Regional variations in Canada BUT: in Quebec decline in firearm suicides not reflected in overall decline
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19 Youth Access to Guns Home is where majority of gun death and accidents take place 24% of Quebec homes have guns 33% guns not safely stored long guns:hunters in family hand guns: illegal or restricted weapon (ie children of police, military)
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20 STAKEHOLDER ROLES For law to be effective, need community participation in implementation Must understand Risks Must take Preventative Action- voluntary removal of firearms; counselling; legal interventions Must raise general community awareness of problem and solutions
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21 Target Audiences Parents and families: understand the risks and take appropriate action Health care professionals: know the signs, provide counselling, intervene Guidance Counsellors and teachers: know the signs, provide counselling, intervene Social workers, youth workers: know the risks, intervene Police: identify risks, intervene Communities-report potential problem
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22 School Intervention-Example Identify at risk youth (violence or suicide) Routinely query parents of troubled youth re: access to guns at home or elsewhere (family members, friends, neighbours) Suggest gun be removed temporarily
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23 OPPORTUNITY AREAS Increase awareness of suicide, violence risks and firearms: data and trend analysis (fact-based decisions and interventions) Integration of “firearms” into other suicide, violence prevention and community strategies Taking preventative action - clear procedures: “when in doubt say no”
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24 Ask a Question, Save a Life Do you have access to a gun? Does your (suicidal) son\daughter have access to a gun? Does the person who threatens you have access to a gun? Does the person who threatens your mother have access to a gun?
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25 Success Stories Licensing process improves risk assessment and includes hotline Decline in reported suicides with firearms 1990-1999 in Quebec (but increase in suicide overall) Decline in firearms death across Canada with increased gun control
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26 Best Practice Examples Batshaw Children and Family services implementing screening for firearms in domestic violence calls and for suicidal youth in their care Centres de Jeunesse, Services Psycho- sociaux are also looking at adding specific question re:guns Montreal Children’s Crisis Team- screening for firearms
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27 Best Practices ShelterNet, Federation des ressources d’hébergement pour femmes violentées includes screening for guns in their new guide Quebec provincial strategy on suicide recognizes firearms issues Educational efforts already underway (eg. Lac Ste. Jean) Romeo Dallaire who suffers from depression and PST asked police to take his firearms
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28 Best Practices- Policing Increased Awareness, improved procedures Appropriate enforcement of safe storage Safe storage of police firearms Police called to suicide attempts routinely query presence of firearms Reporting and record keeping to support licensing and revocation Procedures: determine presence of guns when risk is identified
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29 NEXT STEPS Suggestions- what works in your organisation Are there current initiatives - programs, interventions for school professionals where guns could be included Resource materials Contacts
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