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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
This report by Cohen and Swift described the epidemic of violence in this country as well as current approaches for solving the problem. The authors proposed a community based public health approach to violence prevention.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors employed a non-experimental research design using a review of literature and personal experience as their sources of data.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors were involved in the Contra Costa County Prevention Program in northern California which advocated a multi-faceted approach to violence prevention. The Prevention Program identified three root causes of violence: economics, oppression, and mental health (low self-esteem). They further described six community risk factors that exacerbate the frequency and severity of violence: guns, mass media, alcohol and other drugs, incarceration, witnessing acts of violence, and community deterioration. The authors found that the "war on drugs" approach has not been effective at lowering the supply of drugs in this country nor has it worked to decrease crime. They argued that more persons are incarcerated for drug offenses than violent offenses and that the jail system is a training ground for violent criminals. Because single focus approaches (incarceration, intervention in drug supplies, etc.) have not worked, the Prevention Program used a multi-faceted approach to violence prevention, relying on the involvement of family, schools, health care providers, businesses, the criminal justice system, and social services. To maximize collaboration among the different groups and organizations, the Program utilized three different tools. First, the Program used an instrument called "Eight Steps to Coalition Building" which described how to bring people and organizations together who are already either concentrating on a particular form of violence of serving a population that is particularly at risk. The Prevention Program staff was the "glue" that united these different programs. The second tool was the "Spectrum of Prevention" which outlined effective prevention strategies for these coalition members to use. The third tool was "Partnerships for Institutional Change" which described a method for shifting policies, practices, and resources (e.g., money, volunteers) within established organizations in order for them to be effective as agents of violence prevention. Examples of changes made by organizations using this tool include the implementation of a conflict resolution training program for employees of a 24-hour market and reductions in violent programming by television networks.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors suggested that in order for violence to end attention, resources and commitment must be dedicated to a solution. They proposed a comprehensive, community oriented approach that attacks underlying causes and risk factors with leadership facilitated by public health practitioners. They argued that a collaborated effort of institutions, neighborhoods, government, business, and civic, religious and cultural organizations is necessary to eliminate the epidemic of violence.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
California
Community Based
Community Violence
Public Health Approach
Violence Prevention
Juvenile Violence
Adult Violence
Prevention Recommendations
03-05 |