WASHINGTON
D.C., United States, Sunday January 27, 2013 – The Inter-American Development
Bank (IDB) says several commissioned studies have revealed that crime and
violence have had a dramatic impact on women, youth and the economic well-being
of families in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The
new studies “underscore the more hidden dimensions of the cost of crime” on
regional economies, by looking at issues such as women’s health and property
values” said a statement issued by the organisation.
The
studies were the result of a call for proposals to academics and other experts
to use innovative and appropriate methodologies to measure the cost of crime
and violence in the region, the IDB said. Out of a total of 117 proposals
received, eight were presented by their authors at a January 24–25 seminar at
the IDB headquarters here.
“The
children of women who have suffered from domestic violence have a greater risk
of being born underweight, and grow up with more feeble health, with less
chance they will be vaccinated and more likely to suffer from diarrhea,” said
the IDB about one of the studies.
The
Washington-based financial institution said Latin American and Caribbean
citizens cite crime and violence as their top concern, above unemployment,
healthcare and other issues.
It
said the region suffers from some of the world’s highest homicide rates,
stating that 20 of the world’s most violent cities are located in Latin America
and the Caribbean.
“Crime
has tangible direct costs, such as the cost of funding a private and public
security infrastructure to prevent and combat crime,” said Ana Corbacho, sector
economic advisor of the IDB’s Institutions for Development (IFD) Sector, which
covers citizen security at the IDB.
Gustavo
Beliz, an IDB specialist, said “a better understanding of the economic costs of
violence and crime is vital for public-sector decision-making in the citizen
security sector. “It allows for a discussion more grounded on hard information,
among officials in ministries who deal with the areas of security, planning and
budgets".
The
IDB said it aims to support the efforts of public institutions to better
prevent crime and violence with actions that include social initiatives focused
on the creation of opportunities for young people, strengthening management of
police and penal justice, and with better rehabilitation. (CMC)
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