Violence in the community: addressing cultures of violence

It has been estimated that at least 25,000 children belong to gangs in El Salvador. In cities across Central America, gang culture is strong. These countries have relatively recently emerged from vicious wars which fostered a culture of violence.

Now the gangs have been boosted since the US changed its laws so that immigrants who have committed crimes are deported. This means that those who had spent time in the gangs of Los Angeles have now taken their violent allegiances back with them.

Once involved, it is very hard to get out. Children are rapidly drawn into violent crime.

Darwin's story
Darwin, from Tegucigalpa in Honduras, was good at school and wanted to become a doctor. But when he was 14, he joined the 18th street gang, which is one of the two most powerful gangs.

“Darwin met a girl from the 18th street gang at a party. The gang was a new world. They promised clothes, shoes, gold chains, and the chance to be a leader, a boss. But it was all a lie. When you start, the gang gives you a better identity, but when you try to get out you can't. He had '18' tattooed on his chin, and his arms were full of tattoos,” said his mother Sara.

Darwin started to get in trouble with the police, and was arrested several times. He died when he was 16, two days after being arrested and reportedly beaten by the police. His mother believes the police executed him, and that witnesses are too afraid to speak out. She herself has reported receiving death threats.

Providing young people with an alternative to gang life

In Cali, Colombia, Plan has worked with the community to create a culture of tolerance rather than violence. Community leaders were concerned about youth gangs and children being mistreated at home.

Plan has trained 100 local people to help families to improve intra-family relations, and create an environment in which children are not subjected to violence.

Plan supports a peace program for teenagers aged 13 to 18 in Colombia. As well as recreational, artistic, sporting and social activities to encourage creativity and lessen the chances of them drifting into drug use, the project includes personal growth and peaceful coexistence workshops.

Youths involved in violent gangs have achieved a peace agreement and have been offered alternative ways of spending their spare time.