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Whilst people wring their hand and politicians make
inane statements about “knife attacks being unacceptable”, there seems a
lack of political will to do what is required in the short-term.
It is sensible to assume that catching people who carry knives and then
giving tough punishment will help. Similarly, severe punishment for
those using a knife would help. As Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rose
Fitzpatrick, of the Metropolitan Police recently recommended in The
Times, at every opportunity the message should be given that there are
consequences: it will lead to either injury or death and a prison
sentence. He reports that 185 officers go into schools across London and
59 officers go into pupil referral units [youngsters that have been
excluded from their own school] to get this message across. If people
carry a knife, they must expect a custodial sentence.
However, most people realise that there must also be a longer term
aproach that gets youngsters to willingly give up carrying and using
knives. In values education classes, whether in schools or community
youth settings, youngsters can be brought face-to-face with the
stupidity of carrying and using knives.
Values education for reducing knife crime
In values education classes, there is no telling or lecturing. Socratic
questioning gradually brings people around to their own best interests.
Yes, it takes time, but nothing else is working. Here are some of the
questions that could be used in a values education class on knife crime.
Why do some people carry knives? [This would raise issues such as,
showing off – being the “main man”, feeling safe and a fashion
accessory].
Is it a good thing to carry a knife? [Responses could be, no – it’s
against the law and it could be used against you, and yes – if it helps
you when others pull a knife].
Should we report someone we know is carrying a knife? [Responses could
be, yes because he may use it to hurt someone and no because he would
get into trouble, he wouldn’t have protection and he might shank me].
Why do you think people need knives to feel important?[Because they have
nothing else in their lives to make them feel important].
So what else could be done to make them feel important? [Hopefully
people will list things such as getting an education, getting a job,
doing somehing worthwhile and an opportunity to build something].
Does it really earn respect or do we look on them as stupid and bad
people? [Again, hopefully the response is no – we fear them and fear is
not the same as respect].
What makes people respect us? [Helping others, being a good person,
earning money in a job, helping your parents].
If someone pulled a knoife on you and you pulled a knife on him, what
would be the result? [Proably bad injury, hospitalisation – even maiming
for life and even death].
How would you feel if you stabbed someone and they died? [This may
elicit some hard responses initially – such as well if he was gonna
shank me I wouldn’t care. However, when you probe a bit more, most people
will feel bad and have feelings of guilt].
How long do you think the feelings of guilt would last if you
unfortunately killed someone? [A long time – a life time – and you may
not be able to forget – it would stay with you all your life and people
would know].
What’s the best thing to do when someone pulls a knife on you? [If
possible run away or try and talk yourself out of it by staying calm and
not saying anything to make it worse].
What do you think the punishment should be for carrying a knife?
[Hopefully some responses would include jail].
What do you think the punishmen should be if someone stabs someone and
they can’t walk again? [Hopefully jail and paying compensation].
Do we agree that carrying knives is just stupid? [Hopefully – yes and
we won’t ever do it].
Of course, a few dialogue sessions like this will not convert all young
people into not carrying knives. However, over time and with continually
asking youngsters to draw on their own innate human wisdom, most will be
converted.
Dr Bill would be pleased to help you establish your own value education
programme and train educators in how to facilitate values education
http://www.valueseducation.co.uk/speaker.html
Copyright © 2008 Values Education Ltd
Note to editors. Feel free to use this article as long as the
following details are retained. “A values education article from CAVE
www.valueseducation.co.uk
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