A lack of community involvement is leaving some young people "angry, frustrated and feeling hopeless'', according a child welfare expert.

Kit Swainson, executive director of the Coalition for Protection of Children, believes the failure of neighbourhoods to take an active role in children's upbringing can lead to youths "who take up weapons''.

Speaking at Hamilton Lions Club last week, Ms Swainson spoke of ten youths who had been referred to the Coalition for carrying, selling or using knives.

She said: "Their stories are amazingly similar. All without exception expressed that no one, their parents, teachers, principals, really listened to their plights, that some time ago they lost hope that someone would listen and help them find another way, that there was no other response but to defend themselves and to fight.'' Ms Swainson said a failure of the whole community to involve themselves in the upbringing of children has lead to many young people "who are angry, frustrated and feeling hopeless''.

"We have allowed enormous distance to develop between ourselves, our children and the children of others,'' she said. "We have not invested quality time to get to know them sufficiently and we have not invested emotionally, materially or spiritually in their well-being. We have not taught them by example to understand the "interconnectedness'' of all things and the need to always understand the impact of our actions on others.

"The message that is sent to kids today -- that the only ones who will bother with their lives are immediate family or those who are paid -- is an extremely corrosive message and creates a distorted world view.

"This is a world that does not encourage empathy or sense of common good larger than individual interests.

"It is difficult to develop a sense of responsibility about the impact of your behaviour on others if you get no feedback. It is difficult to care about the welfare of others if you do not perceive that anyone cares about yours.

"How many of you have experienced adults other than your parents tell you what to do and how to behave in your neighbourhoods when you were young? "Many of us over the age of 25 can remember a time when we were held accountable, disciplined or brought into line by someone other than family, and I'm referring to positive discipline here. How many of you do that in your neighbourhoods today?'' Ms Swainson offered the idea of restorative justice as a means by which all parties come together to resolve conflict.

She said: "It focuses on harms suffered rather than laws broken. It supports the offender and simultaneously encourages him or her to understand, accept and carry out their commitment to repair the harm.

"It recognises offenders' needs to fulfil obligations which are achievable, not punitive. It involves and empowers the community through the judicial process, particularly by increasing its capacity to recognise and respond to crime.

"It encourages co-operation and integration rather than coercion and separation and shows respect for the dignity of everyone.''