KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for Kingston Central, the Jamaica Labour Party’s Donovan Williams, says it is urgent that the country speaks with one unified voice against violence and deviant behaviour which is being normalised, accepted and even showcased by institutions in the society.

Williams is urging the National Violence Prevention Commission to expedite its work and publish its report as soon as possible so that empirical and studies perspectives on violence and criminality in Jamaica, can be placed front and centre of the national agenda.

“There is no denying that Jamaica has been gripped over many decades by an epidemic of violence. It is particularly disturbing that there is a discernible tolerance for violence and tacit support for violence producers and those who promote violence in our society,” Williams said.

The parliamentarian recounted that Prime Minister Andrew Holness had commissioned the National Violence Prevention Commission to undertake a continuing comprehensive review of all existing public and private violence-prevention programmes.

He said the report is a necessary roadmap to address a noticeable drift in our society to accept and normalise violent behaviours and personalities, especially among our impressionable youth.

“In light of the concern amongst well-thinking Jamaicans that there is a mainstreaming and normalisation of violence, violence producers and those who promote violence in our society, publication of the report of the National Violence Prevention Commission would be very useful at this time. I anticipate that the report contains recommendations that may help us as a country to better understand the nature of violence and criminality in our society and how attitudes toward the scourge of violence are shaped,” Williams said.