Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christian-Christensen has sent a strong message to Virgin Islanders to stop the violence — and to set a proper example for the community's children.
Christensen's statement came in response to the eruption of youth violence in the territory, including the most recent shootout in St. Thomas in which two 14-year-old students were wounded.
In a release she said the community has failed to teach its children how to handle their problems.
Christensen, a member of the House Juvenile Justice/Crime Agenda Task Force, said, "Our youth are following our examples of domestic violence and other acts of abuse to resolve disputes among themselves."
She challenged the community to rally around its children and teach them "how to cope and how to love."
She said community leaders must make ending youth violence a priority.
Christensen said she will continue her work in the Congress to try to find solutions to this national epidemic.
