Survey finds over half of students exposed to violence
(CNS): In addition to drug use by students attending both private and government schools, the full report from the National Drug Council of its 2022 Student Drug Use Survey, which has now been released, found other important data relating to the experiences of teenagers. Among the more disturbing findings, over 55% of students who took part in the survey said they had witnessed violence while at school, 48.4% said they had seen it in their community and more than a quarter of students said they had seen violence in the home. In Bodden Town, over 40% of students had experienced violence in their homes.
Over a third of boys and almost 30% of girls said they had experienced a life-threatening event. Over 19% of all students reported having carried a weapon and 18% said they had been threatened or injured with a weapon. More than half of the boys and a quarter of the girls said they had been in a fight, and more than 10% of students said they had attacked someone with the intent of causing serious harm. More than 9% of students reported being suspended because of violence, but just 6.8% admitted belonging to a gang or crew.
In almost all cases where the students were asked about violence, boys reported experiencing it more than girls. But the survey found that girls were far more likely to admit to having adverse childhood experiences. More than one in five students reported four or more of these experiences, with around 30% of girls suffering higher levels of anxiety and depression than boys.
Over 58% of the teenage students said the adverse experiences were due to challenges at home. Almost 60% of girls said they had experienced abuse at home and over 31% of all students reported neglect. More than twice as many girls than boys reported mental illness within their household, which officials said was statistically significant. In total, 1,934 teenagers have adverse experiences in their homes, and 825 students said they were subjected to abuse.
The authors of the report raised their concerns about the levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) uncovered in the survey and the connection to the likelihood that those students would use alcohol, cigarettes or ganja.
“The connection between ACEs, youth substance use and other social determinants such as bullying, carrying a weapon, and other antisocial behaviour should be factored into prevention efforts and interventions,” the study said.
See the full report in the CNS Library.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Category: Local News
seems you were a private school, entitled little twat why you’re so hell bent on defending private schools. drugs, gangs, whatever issues there are in public schools are also in private schools. you only hear more about the public schools, because private school officials and the many well-off families sweep their issues under the rug. when their kid gets in trouble, they often times throw money at the school officials to keep hush-hush.
The data is nothing new. The problem starts within the home, the environment they come from, and many enabling parents who refuse to take responsibility and grow their children the right way, both rich and poor alike. It’s sad to say, but it will only get worse. There are many issues surrounding children that as a society, many of us turn a blind eye to and don’t want to talk about because it’s uncomfortable, or refuse to believe things are happening.
I would like to see the questions that the NDC asked our youngsters. It was reported that they were asked if they had used or tried alcohol. I hope that this was not the case because without qualification almost all of them would say yes. It would be a lie to say that they have not tried wine, rum punch or something similar. Surely what is important is how many regularly resort to alcohol… and the reason why.
CNS: If you click on the link to the survey, you can see what questions were asked.
Caymanian culture, Caribbean culture, Jamaican Culture, versus what kids need to grow up fearless. Don’t blame the schools unless that’s the best you can do according to your culture. And understand that you can not change your culture if your living in it. You can only change yourself and it will be very hard and you will have to do it without help from those around you. Are your kids worth it to you?
What percentage of bartenders are exposed to same?
There is so much data in this report but why not start at the start and empower the kids with the report/data they’ve offered. Show them an edited version of the report to set a fundamental baseline of its not just one individual dealing with these issues as many I would expect think they are. Praise them for taking part and encourage them to become ancillary instead of auxiliary initiating an evolution following the reports great start. We think we know but it isn’t unheard of for them to know better
Hundreds comments on Expensive tickets to see a famous performer, yet 3 comments on violence in Cayman schools?
The petty bourgeoise aren’t here for the betterment of the people, bobo.
it’s not just about violence in the schools, if that’s your takeaway, you’re reading it wrong.
Of course most kids see violence at school. A fight at a break time will potentially be seen by hundreds of children. The figures on domestic violence are far more telling.
Excellent post! I’m amazed only 55% of kids have seen violence at school for obvious reasons. I’m shocked it’s not 100%! But 1/4 have seen violence in the home? What the hell? 40% in Bodden Town? 40%!!! What the hell?
Look at the bright side, we made a $3,000,000 purchase for a wellness area that will be world class!
This is devistating statistics which is why there needs to be better sex education, access to abortions and healthcare for adolescents (anonymously) and public resources at schools to support these young kids. This government brags about surplus but never uses it to fund the appropriate sectors that are equipped with helping these children within their messed up homes. The sad part is when we as the public can say there is a problem with a particular group of people we are called racist. Well, Bodden Town, what say you?
My child was subject to abuse at Cayman Prep.
I met with the Vice-Principal.
No guarantees were given.
I asked my child, “Do you want to go to this school?”
My child said no.
I removed my child immediately.
I was so unhappy with the bullying, cliquey culture.
My parent did the same for me & it was the best thing she ever did. You are a wonderful parent, thank you.
Prep breeds some very nasty characters and I’ve experienced some of the teens first hands being extremely rude and intimidating. The problem is all private schools are burying their heads in the sands as it’s bad for business. If only all schools would properly collaborate on tackling these topics, we may see a much better outcome.
to paint a broad brush on private and ignore public schools is absolutely moronic. I’ve not seen any videos circulating in the private schools where they’re asking the other kids their favorite sexual position, or fights between students, or attacking teachers. that all comes from your public schools bro.
No, private schools have kids consuming hard drugs.
That’s not just a private school problem bro. At least the gangs aren’t in the private schools.
It starts in the home, not the school. Parents ignore their kids, and look what comes out.
Parents are better suited to address these issues. No school is replacing parents’ duty to raise children and discipline them (when necessary).
The apple doesn’t fall far from thr tree.
Cliquey bullying kids learn from their parents.
These days children are being raised to be weak.
We had to learn to bully the bully, and then the bullying stopped.
If your child doesn’t learn to stand up for himself, he will be a target his whole life.
If the school is toxic, then it is okay to find a better place. However, this world is unforgiving.
When we were kids, we always looked at Prep School as the “softest” school in Cayman.
The source of the “softness” was the English chaps, who were soft as pudding.
It’s not funny, but this is actually true.
You are 100% correct 7:56. Stand up for yourself. Yeah you may take a lickin’ the first time but it will stop after that. Society has gotten all wussy, talking about bullying and giving everyone a participation ribbon for everything. You will never make it in life hoping everyone will be nice to you.
Prep is far better off without your sort.
My “sort” is much happier without your people.
I just can’t imagine why your kid was unpopular with that attitude. And 8:42 be quiet you nasty little troll. Jeez you two are worse than kids! Grow up.
And your child was bullied you say? Do you think your attitude had anything to do with it?
Prep is not the only private school with those issues. Bullying exists in other schools as well and they do nothing about it.
I have children at CIS and the culture is very inclusive. I have not heard any reports of bullying and the children are generally kind to one another. The children are also taught to stand up for themselves.