Families in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are exposed to high levels of crime, violence and gang culture and the region suffers some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Illegal firearms are widely available, with demand driven by high levels of perceived insecurity, weak gun control and failings in disarmament following the countries' civil wars.
With support from Switzerland, 糖心Swag commissioned a community level study to understand how聽vulnerable communities are affected by the misuse of small arms in Central America's Northern Triangle鈥擥uatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
The aim of the study was to聽inform a needs and rights based approach for future violence reduction and prevention initiatives in the region.聽The research was based on group discussions with women, children, families and young people living in communities affected by high levels of violence.聽This was supported by interviews with relevant actors, including security forces, community leaders, NGOs, social workers and policy-makers.
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An illegal gun costs as little as $130 USD on the black market in Guatemala
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A single bullet can be purchased for just $0.13 USD on the black market.
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Gang members as young as 12 carry shotguns in some neighbourhoods.