Human rights advocate Felicia Dujon is calling for a more decisive and comprehensive response to gun violence in Saint Lucia, following a recent incident in which her sister was grazed by a stray bullet.
Dujon warned that the country risks normalizing violence if action is limited to legislation alone.
“If you are only looking at it from a legal perspective, then you are missing out on other factors,” she said. “You have a society that is becoming too familiar and too comfortable with gun violence, and you are going to see a generation that thinks that this is acceptable.”
She reflected on the changing nature of violence on the island, noting that its impact is now being felt more widely across families and communities.
“Twenty years ago, we did not have to think about it in the same way,” Dujon stated. “We had violence, but not to the extent that every other family member becomes part and parcel of it.”
Central to her concerns is the lack of emphasis on mental health and psychological support for victims and their families.
“Because of the way our society has existed for such a long time, we do not believe that we need psychological care or mental health intervention,” she said. “These are matters we have to take far more seriously, and we have to teach our young people that mental health is very important.”
Dujon stressed that victims of violence and their families must receive adequate care and support.
“When situations like this occur, the child or the victim’s family should receive psychological care and intervention,” she explained. “They do not always understand the impact it has on their psyche, on their brain, and on how they function.”
While acknowledging that funding may be available, she questioned how effectively it is being utilized.
“Yes, the funding is there, but how are we going to implement it?” she asked. “The research is significant. You need to look at the data to understand what has been happening over the last few years.”
She argued that policies must be informed by evidence rather than assumption, particularly given the varying dynamics across different communities.
“You cannot decide that one area has more gun violence and simply direct interventions there,” Dujon said. “The research should drive the policy so you know what is needed, because what works in Vieux Fort may not necessarily work in Castries.”
Dujon maintained that addressing gun violence requires a holistic strategy that tackles root causes, supports victims, and reshapes societal attitudes, warning that failure to act decisively could have long-term consequences for future generations.