Oberlin High School Students Benefit from Victim Services Division Resocialisation Intervention

Thirty-seven students from Oberlin High School in St. Andrew, who experienced traumatic events, are now better equipped to manage the resulting negative emotions, having benefited from a resocialisation intervention hosted by the Victim Services Division (VSD) of the Ministry of Justice.

The ‘Restorative Practices – Cultural Resocialisation Therapeutic School Intervention’ was held at Hope Gardens in St. Andrew on Thursday (February 6) under the theme ‘Healing the Nation: Restorative Power of Justice in Jamaica’.

The students participated in four therapeutic interventions aimed at teaching them positive coping skills and providing healing.

The interventions comprised a tour of the Hope Zoo; a structured learning session focused on teaching the children about the effects of trauma and how best to deal with it; a supervised play session where students engaged in a treasure hunt for positive words, and a balloon release ceremony during which they were encouraged to let go of negative emotions and hurt.

Regional Director for the VSD, Dr. Nesta Haye, explained that the resocialisation activity followed extensive counselling interventions offered to the students, some of whom encountered abuse, or lost parents, friends or other family members in violent incidents.

She noted that the engagements undertaken will help to change the negative feelings and emotions that the students have associated with their trauma.

Dr. Haye said the change in the attitudes of the participating students by the end of the session indicated that the activities had a positive impact on them.

She added that similar interventions will be undertaken at other high schools across the island.

“We realise the need is there because, based on the communities in which they live, they are exposed to trauma. Some of them have domestic violence to deal with in the home as well. Even within the school environment, you may find threats and incidents of wounding. So, we are now there to say to them, even though you may have been exposed to trauma, it does not mean that you have to live in that fear and with these negative emotions. Let us help you to move beyond that,” Dr. Haye further stated.

The resocialisation intervention event is part of activities commemorating Restorative Justice Week from February 2 to 7.

Restorative Justice is a programme under the Social Justice Division at the Ministry of Justice that aims to resolve conflict by having all parties involved come together to reach an agreement.

Addressing the students during the closing ceremony for the intervention, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, emphasised the importance of restorative justice in ensuring that Jamaicans live in harmony.

“It is very important that you all learn to live, love, care for and help one another to become good graduates of Oberlin High School, because your parents, your teachers and all of Jamaica are depending on you to be outstanding citizens,” he said.

Mr. Chuck reiterated that there is no need for fighting and abuse when issues arise, adding, “If we do have disputes and conflicts, we can resolve them.”

Meanwhile, Acting Director for the Restorative Justice Branch at the Ministry, Sheron Betancourt, urged the students to take the message of restorative justice back to their school.

“Tell somebody about restorative justice. It is justice that heals. Take that message right back to school and tell your colleagues about the restorative way of resolving conflicts,” she said.