Reducing Gun Violence

• March 26, 2021: Mass Shootings in America’s Cities: Mayors’ Experience and Lessons Learned
• January 24: 2020: Lessons Learned: Preventing, Preparing for, and Responding to Mass Shootings, from the 88th Winter Meeting
• The National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center and the United States Conference of Mayors
• UnitedonGuns  has developed a Mass Shooting Protocol & Playbook to help mayors and city staff prepare for, respond to, and help their communities recover from a mass shooting

In April 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced historic investments in community violence intervention (CVI) efforts to combat the gun violence epidemic. As part of the Administration’s efforts to support communities seeking to implement or expand CVI efforts, subject matter experts are presenting on CVI-related topics in a series of webinars. This webinar series is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Part 1: Evidence-based Theory and Research on CVI

In this webinar, presenters discuss immediate steps communities can take to reduce community violence as well as the social determinants of health (e.g., norms, policies) that can lead to inequities in violence. Within this framework, presenters define CVI, including the theory and research behind specific CVI models such as street outreach, violence interrupters, group violence interventions, and hospital-based interventions, as well as the role of the community and law enforcement within CVI. Here are the recording and slides of the first webinar.

Part 2: Place-based Approaches to CVI

During this webinar, presenters discuss CVI efforts in the context of a place-based approach. Framed in the social ecological model, place-based approaches can reduce and prevent community violence and crime by enhancing and maintaining the physical characteristics of settings where people come together to foster social interaction, strengthen connectedness, and increase collective efficacy (e.g., shared trust among residents and willingness to intervene). Presenters highlight the importance of community engagement within place-based approaches and discuss how incorporating community revitalization efforts, such as increasing green spaces and addressing abandoned buildings can reduce and prevent community violence. Here are the recording and slides of the second webinar.

Part 3: CVI in Practice

In this webinar, leading CVI experts share their on-the-ground experiences on how to implement CVI strategies within communities. They share insights on what communities should consider to effectively implement and sustain CVI efforts. Here are the recording and slides of the third webinar.