- “New UVA Research Recommends Gun Violence Prevention Strategies For State, Local Governments.” For The Virginia Mercury, Charlotte Rene Woods reports on new research from the University of Virginia that “explores contributing factors to youth gun violence in Virginia as well as solutions at the state and local levels” and found that “holistic and comprehensive community responses [like Community Violence Interrupters] are effectively and creatively lowering the rates of gun violence.”
The full report—called “In Their Own Voices”—draws on 58 interviews with youth, community leaders, violence interrupters, and law enforcement across Virginia to understand the roots of youth gun violence and the solutions most likely to work. A core theme across interviews is that community violence intervention led by trusted, lived-experience practitioners is one of the most effective tools available. CVI efforts built around credible messengers, supportive relationships, and community-rooted problem-solving consistently emerged as what young people say actually helps them feel safe enough not to carry guns. The full report is worth your time, but here are some key findings on building effective CVI programs:- Hire Credible Messengers With Lived Experience: “Employ people with lived experience” or create partnerships with organizations that do…because these adults “help young people choose a safer and wiser path.” Youth described that what works is simple but powerful: “…That’s all they want to hear—I got you. That’s it. That’s all they need. For somebody to tell them, I got you and I love you and you can do it. If you can tell them three things, they’ll do anything in the world for you.” The report also highlights people “with their own lived experience in the criminal justice system who were now trying to give back to their communities—often with scant financial resources—by interrupting the cycle of violence.” Their work focuses on preventing “a life-changing decision that don’t take but a minute…it’ll ruin your life.”
- Create Safe Spaces Where Interrupters Can Actually Reach Youth Community: Community members said directly: “We have to create better spaces for kids…create safe spaces for kids…we need more…us as parents, us as adults—we need to do more.” Correspondingly, the report recommends localities “create safe spaces and services for young people” as core infrastructure for intervention.
- Use CVI Leaders To Teach Youth How Social Media Fuels Violence: Social media was the most frequently cited cause of violence by youth. The report notes that “social media plays an outsized and dangerous role in turning individual, lower-level conflict into actual shootings” and recommends that community groups “teach youth about dangers of social media.” Interrupters are already confronting online dynamics that “accelerate and aggravate conflict.”
- Use CVI To Help Target Hot Spots And Prevent Retaliation: Interviewees explained that “violence…really is happening in limited pockets of our community by certain actors and their associates” and that interrupters are uniquely positioned to understand those dynamics. The report recommends localities “use data to target…interventions” in these regions and deploy community partners who understand.
- Study: How Chicago’s Community Violence Intervention Is Helping To Prevent Gun Violence. In a new report—“Why Might READI Chicago Work to Reduce Gun Violence?”—researchers at University of Chicago Crime Lab examined 220 hours of field observation, immersive qualitative interviews with 106 current and former participants, and extensive staff focus groups to understand how Chicago’s READI program—a major community violence intervention that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and paid transitional employment—is impacting individuals at the highest risk of shootings. As the authors explain, READI “successfully identified and engaged individuals at high risk of gun violence” and for key groups produced “unequivocal and substantial reductions in arrests for shootings and homicides.” Here are some of the key findings about what makes READI successful:
- A 65% Reduction In Shootings And Homicide Arrests Among READI Participants: READI participants were extraordinarily high-risk: “35% had been previously shot and 98% had been arrested…with an average of 17 prior arrests” before referral. Researchers found that for those engaged through outreach workers, the program produced “unequivocal and substantial reductions in arrests for shootings and homicides,” amounting to “a 65% reduction” compared to control participants.
- A Combination Of Employment And Behavioral Therapy Drives The Impact: The authors note that READI’s model is intentionally dual-track: “a combination of previously implemented evidence-based social service interventions – cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with supported jobs” delivered to men at the highest risk. Researchers note that while “employment programs on their own don’t reduce violence involvement,” READI’s strength lies in how the two components operate together to change decision-making, helping participants slow down and apply “the behavioral component” in real work and life situations.
- Building Trust, Relationships With Staff Central To How READI Changes Behavior: Participants said READI staff made them feel “seen, valued, and cared for,” with participants describing the program as a “‘family’…they could reach out to in times of difficulty.” Outreach workers “taught me to communicate… put trust in people” and “made sure that we can trust… another person that’s trying to help you.” Participants emphasized that “the consistency of these elements made [them] feel safer,” with daily grounding exercises helping them “come together as one… and get our day going.”
Related: For Bay City News, Thomas Hughes reports that San Francisco is launching its first-ever violence prevention program in the Tenderloin. The one-year pilot will serve up to 20 youth ages 12–24 and will “feature after-school activities and space to gather, individualized support services, and outreach designed to help at-risk youth make good choices.”