Aggredi Seinäjoki launches program to reduce violence in South Ostrobothnia

Violence manifests in various forms, including street fights, drug debt collections, gang violence, and impulsive acts of aggression. In Seinäjoki, the recently launched Aggredi South Ostrobothnia aims to assist those seeking to reduce or eliminate violence outside the home.

According to Visa Korhonen, a violence prevention expert at Aggredi, the process fundamentally begins with the clients themselves, who decide how to progress and which strategies to adopt. Most clients are directed to the service through the criminal justice system.

For clients who resort to violence as a means of earning money, such as in drug collections, the only viable option may be to build a completely new life devoid of criminal influences. This involves collaborative discussions to identify what a fulfilling new life should entail. In cases of impulsive violence, clients can explore common triggers that elicit these aggressive responses.

Korhonen explains that before an act of violence occurs, the body undergoes specific reactions, such as muscle tension, increased heart rate, sweating hands, and clenched fists. In such moments, he advises taking a timeout, which provides clients with “extra ignition wire” for difficult situations. They can engage in a brief exercise or step outside for a smoke, allowing them the time to consciously choose whether to act violently.

The causes behind violent behavior are numerous, often rooted in experiences of mistreatment at home or school. Learned behaviors and the allure of gang culture can further exacerbate these issues. It is noted that clients aged 30 and above typically yield the best results, as younger individuals may not have yet faced the consequences of their actions fully.

Aggredi Seinäjoki provides support for individuals aged 18 to 49 who perpetrate violence outside the home, allowing for anonymous assistance while keeping criminal histories confidential unless disclosed willingly.