Violence Intervention

When an individual is victimized by gun violence, it increases the likelihood that they will be victimized again and/or become a perpetrator of gun violence themselves, starting a cycle of violence and justice system involvement. In recent years, some states and cities have deployed evidence-informed and targeted community-based violence intervention strategies in an attempt to break this cycle of violence. These strategies include focused deterrence, cognitive behavioral therapy, hospital-based intervention, and street outreach - all designed to minimize justice system involvement for young people and reduce gun violence in struggling neighborhoods.

The Violence Intervention focus area is new to the program, sitting at the intersection of gun violence prevention and justice reform and complementing the strategies and priorities of these focus areas.

Goal: Advance the policy and practice of violence intervention.

Objectives:

1. Build the research base supporting violence intervention, including identification of best practices for design, delivery and funding of programs
2. Elevate the practice of violence intervention through the professional development of a new community of practitioners, and support expert technical assistance in our region
3. Support policies to secure public sector support for violence intervention