The case in summary • Elise and Yamen, two 17-year-olds from Sandefjord, have managed to get out of brutal youth environments characterized by violence.• In the past year, the police have sounded the alarm about increasing youth violence in several Norwegian cities.• Elise and Yamen managed to break out of the environment by changing schools and distancing themselves from violent friends, even if it was difficult.• Section leader for prevention in the South-East police district, Orhan Emrici, praises the young people for their strength and courage, and emphasizes the importance of a support system around them. • The Red Cross youth center Fellesverket in Sandefjord has been an important support for both Elise and Yamen, and has taught them to resolve conflicts with words.• Center manager Susann Angell at the Fellesverket says that the number of young people visiting the center has tripled in two years, and that they spend a lot of time on conversations, guidance and mediation. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Elise sits in the classroom at Mokollen School in Sandefjord. She tries to focus on the numbers in the math book. The teacher says something, but Elise’s attention is instead captured by a group chat, where the latest message lights up on the mobile. October 2022Group chat: I see that the person is out now…GGroup chat: Let’s go out of class and knock she It’s at this moment she’s had enough. Now she doesn’t want to be a part of this anymore. Elise remains seated on the chair in the classroom. But that doesn’t stop the others. – The person was beaten with such severe physical violence that the police had to come, says Elise. Youth violence is increasing In the past year, the police have raised the alarm about increasing youth violence in several Norwegian cities. A video from Kristiansand showed the serious development of violence among girls. This was not a rare sight for the young people Yamen and Elise from Sandefjord. – Before it was boys who fought, but now I see that suddenly there are many girls who do it too. Then I think a bit like this; “What happens now?”, says Yamen. Recently, the police in Skien also came out with a growing concern for the youth environment in the town. Changed schools Yamen and Elise know what they are talking about. They have themselves been on the inside of such environments in Sandefjord. Exactly how Elise ended up there, she finds difficult to explain. When she moved to Norway from Brazil in 2016, she made friends here. Suddenly she was part of an environment she describes as mean and violent. – It has been difficult to get out. Because I was told that we are stronger together. So it took courage to say no. PHOTO: TOMINE WALMSNESS Changing schools was the solution for her. But it was unpleasant to cut contact with the “gang”. – At first I was afraid of being lonely and that they would get mad at me. But I still had to cut contact, and then I felt more freedom than I had in a long time. Difficult to distance yourself For Yamen, the turning point came when his mother fell ill with MS. Then she needed more help from her son. Being the oldest in the pack of siblings was a responsibility Yamen had to take seriously. Yamen is the older brother of four. Keeping them away from the wrong environment was an important reason why he wanted to break with the past. – I woke up and felt that I had to take more responsibility. I want to be a good role model. PHOTO: TOMINE WALMSNESS But getting out was easier said than done. Because what do you do when the “gang” are also good friends you don’t want to lose? – I am still friends with them, but try to stay away because I don’t like to cause problems, such as dealing and fighting. – It’s a bit sad, but it’s better for my life. – Requires strength and courage Orhan Emrici is section leader for prevention in the South-East police district. He confirms that they are seeing an increase in both violent and profit cases where the offenders are between 13 and 18 years old. – The problems are not linked to any particular city, but are evenly distributed in all the larger cities, says Emrici. He praises the two young people who are now telling about the way out of tough youth environments. – It is impressive and inspiring to have young people who manage to turn their lives around in that way. They are good role models for others. It requires will, strength and courage, says Emrici. Orhan Emrici is section leader for prevention in the South-East police district. Photo: Veslemøy Prøis / news He says that it is the young people themselves who do the most important work, but that it is important that there is a support system around them. Adults with whom the young people can gain a relationship of trust over time. Then there are bodies other than the police that are particularly important, emphasizes Emrici. Learning to handle conflicts For both Elise and Yamen, the Red Cross’s youth center Fellesverket in Sandefjord has been such an important arena. – When you are out on the streets there are always problems. At Fellesverket there are people who help you and you can get to know good people, says Elise. She says that she has learned a lot about how to resolve conflicts with words, among other things through an activity at the Norwegian Community Agency called “street mediation”. Yamen feels the same. – I have become much better at thinking before I react, and at being patient. The friends Elise and Yamen especially mean young people in 11 to. The age of 13 should learn about communication and mediation. Among other things, the Red Cross offers children and young people free courses to learn how to deal with conflicts. Photo: Tomine Walmsness Dozens of people visit every day. Center leader Susann Angell at the Swedish Public Works Agency in Sandefjord is one of those who give young people hope and strength to get out of rough environments. She says that they have a lot to do, and that the number of young people visiting the center has tripled in two years. Susann Angell works at Fellesverket, which is an activity center for young people. She is an instructor in street mediation with the aim of teaching young people about their feelings and how to communicate them. Photo: Tomine Walmsness – We spend a lot of time talking to the young people, calming down situations, guiding and mediating, says Angell. On a normal day, between 70 and 80 young people visit the Swedish Public Works Agency in Sandefjord. For both Yamen and Elise, the activity center has helped contribute to a new start. – You’re only young once, so it’s important to get out of the bad environment so you don’t ruin yourself, says Elise, who encourages more people to do like her. Today, Elise has friends who like the same things as her. Now she can rather spend her time on what she actually wants. Read books by Brazilian authors and learn new languages. She has just started learning her fifth grade. Photo: Tomine Walmsness Hi! Do you have any thoughts on the matter, or tips for something else I should look into? Then I will be happy if you send me an e-mail.
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