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Author: DOJ Team

New posters launched to strengthen Ending the Harm campaign

Posted on by DOJ Team

A new series of posters have been launched as part of the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime’s ongoing ‘Ending the Harm’ campaign.

They highlight the ongoing need to tackle paramilitary and criminal gang exploitation in local communities.

The latest posters introduce a two-part message: ‘We must end – We can end’, a reference to the positive impact and change in communities that has come from EPPOC projects, initiatives and interventions.

For the first time, the campaign explicitly references both ‘Criminal Gangs’ and ‘Paramilitaries’, acknowledging the diverse perspectives on how such organisations are described. From Monday 20 October, posters will be displayed across a wide range of outdoor advertising sites as well as featuring online and on social media.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said:

“Paramilitary groups and criminal gangs exploit, intimidate and harm our communities. They are not defenders or protectors, they are criminals. The new posters make it clear that, whatever name they use, their actions are unacceptable and must end. However, the work delivered by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime has shown that we can end this harm and together, we can build safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

 

Watch EPPOC’s case study video series

Posted on by DOJ Team

The Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) has now published all 3 films in its video series which aims to reveal the impact of paramilitary harm on children and communities.

 

The short videos provide an insight into how today’s paramilitary gangs intimidate, control, and coerce individuals and communities. The films are presented in case study style and feature three individuals, a community worker, a 19-year-old man, and a young woman.

 

‘Community Worker’, ‘Violence’, and ‘Child Exploitation’ were launched on X (formerly known as twitter) over the past few months by EPPOC. To date, the 3 films have been viewed almost 60,000 times.

Three case study films showing the impact of paramilitary harm

EPPOC Director Adele Brown said, “We know that paramilitaries and organised crime groups cause significant harm within communities. However, hidden harms such as child criminal exploitation, coercive control, and gatekeeping, are less known. These 3 videos shine a light on those hidden harms.

 

“The 3 videos have received significant media coverage and have created a discussion around paramilitarism and how it operates in Northern Ireland today. We are also delighted that both Ulster University and The Open University have asked to use the videos in their teaching materials and research. The films will also be used in educational settings within the EPPOC programme, where practitioners will screen the videos to engage with groups of young people about the issues highlighted.”

 

“This case study video series, whilst fictional, is closely based on extensive research into the experiences of young people collected by Queen’s University, Belfast, for research funded by EPPOC. This research can be viewed on the Ending the Harm website.”

 

For more information on Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) please email eppoc@endingtheharm.info.

Y-Box – New violence prevention model developed to help tackle male youth violence

Posted on by DOJ Team

A new violence prevention programme has been developed to help address the growing issue of male youth violence.

 

The Y-Box model is a targeted, evidence-based programme that works with young men aged 12-21 to explore the themes of masculinity and violence. The programme provides a framework for young men to reflect on their relationship with violence and to work through challenges.

 

The programme has been developed by Dr Colm Walsh from Queen’s University Belfast and Leigh Whitely from the Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) with funding and support by the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

 

Dr Colm Walsh said: “The Y-Box model is a social education programme that has been developed for use in schools and youth group settings. The aim of this evidence-informed and co-produced intervention protocol is to provide a framework for youth workers to engage with young men around the theme of masculinity and violence.

 

“Violence is the most experienced trauma for young people in Northern Ireland with young men at higher risk of being a victim or perpetrator or both. This model will provide a tool for practitioners to help young men and boys understand their relationship with violence and practice non-violent alternatives.”

 

EPPOC Director, Adele Brown, said: “The Y-Box model shows once again how Northern Ireland is leading the way in developing evidence-based solutions to prevent young men getting involved in interpersonal, community-based violence.  This will have a positive impact on lives now and in the future.

 

“The model has been tested and is now ready to be used more widely across Northern Ireland and also beyond. It’s part of a wider suite of evidence-based innovative initiatives that are helping reduce youth violence and break a complex cycle of harm.”

 

If you would like more information about the Y-Box programme please contact EPPOC on EPPOC@endingtheharm.info