Lawmakers Hear Calls to Treat Youth Violence as a Public‑Health Emergency in U.S. Virgin Islands Hearing

Senators heard a series of testimonies on Oct. 31, 2025, urging the Legislature to treat youth violence as a public‑health problem and to shore up behavioral‑health capacity, data sharing and stable funding for community programs.

Dr. Nicole Cragwell Sims, acting commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Health, said local and national surveys show high levels of emotional distress and risky behavior among youth and argued that the territory needs trauma‑informed, culturally grounded services. "The Department of Health views youth violence not merely as a criminal or social issue, but as a symptom of a deeper trauma and unaddressed behavioral health need that demands a coordinated trauma informed response," Dr. Sims said, outlining mobile crisis teams, a Zen‑van outreach effort and a federally funded Zen‑room school pilot as current efforts.

Antonio Emmanuel, executive director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, described a team of community engagement coordinators, violence interrupters and survivor‑engagement specialists who have worked in schools and neighborhoods and who have delivered anti‑bullying and violence prevention sessions to thousands of…