Violence Reduction Hub

Description

To produce word leading research that enables academics and policy makers to better understand patterns of different forms of violence, the harms of violence to survivors; develop public health focused interventions and a better understanding of what works to reduce violence.

The discussion paper (PDF, 826kb) presents the findings of research conducted by the Violence Reduction Hub in early 2021 that maps the interventions across the region; ‘theories of change’ and some of the emerging challenges with evaluation. The paper identifies that:

• In January 2021, there were 47 interventions being implemented to tackle public space violence across the region;
• The majority of interventions focused on people currently involved in crime (38%: n=18) or those thought to be at high risk of future involvement (30%: n=14);
• The majority of the recorded interventions (63%: n=29) are in the two VRU areas;
• Over two-thirds of interventions in VRUs focused on at-risk or universal groups (compared to 35% in non-VRU areas).
• There are a number of theories of change associated with the interventions. These range from theories based on reactive forms of policing (such as using traditional policing methods to arrest offenders) to those that are more proactive and aim to facilitate change in people and their risk/protective factors (such as educational and parenting programmes).
• There are several positive early indicators of success including the growing number of referrals to interventions, observed improvements in the mental health and well-being of young people and positive feedback on employment success;
• Typical challenges in implementation have included restrictions presented by Covid and subsequent changes in working practices, the need for more resources/staff and uncertainty over the success of interventions due to the requirement for long term monitoring and evaluation.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

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University affiliation(s)

University of Leicester
Leicester