Silence won't stop violence

Silence won't stop the violence

It can sometimes be tempting to turn a blind eye and think it’s none of your business if you know or suspect someone responsible for violence or carrying a weapon, but the consequences of not doing anything can be devastating.

As part of our Silence Won’t Stop Violence campaign, we have spoken to people with real life experience of violence in Scotland and they’ve shared the impact it has had on their lives and how they think we could come together to make Scotland safer for everyone.

Lynn Burns

Lynn’s son Sam was murdered in Ayrshire in 2013 and died from a single stab wound to his chest. 

Donald Tumilowicz, Co-founder and mentor at Aid & Abet

Donald has used his own personal experiences to transform the lives of young people.

Knife crime - the facts

1 - An offensive weapon can be anything intended to be used to cause harm to another person. This could be a knife, sharpened comb or anything with a hidden blade or sharp point.

2 - Self-protection is not a reasonable excuse for carrying a weapon.

3 - By carrying a weapon, you are much more likely to get hurt yourself.

4 - Possession of a knife carries a prison sentence of up to 5 years, even if it’s not used.

5 - There is no ‘safe place’ to stab someone. If a knife punctures an artery you can bleed to death within a minute.

6 - If you stab someone and they die, you may face a life sentence.

7 - Even if it’s not you who does it, if someone is injured or killed in your presence you could be sent to prison for murder or attempted murder in what is referred to as ‘Joint Enterprise’.