At Prevention Institute, our vision is that all people experience their full potential for health, safety, and wellbeing across the life course through thriving, equitable communities. Safety allows people to thrive and live fulfilling lives—it is freedom from violence and the threat of violence. Our work addresses multiple forms of violence (e.g., school, community, intimate partner, sexual assault, and child abuse and exploitation) and the relationships between them.
Violence is preventable, not inevitable. There is a strong and growing evidence base, grounded in research and experiential practitioner and community evidence that supports this fact. Changing the underlying conditions that contribute to violence—in homes, schools, and neighborhoods—prevents violence from occurring in the first place.
Prevention Institute engages leaders from housing, healthcare, and multiple other sectors at the local, state, and national levels and cultivates a systems approach to prevention that reduces the need for criminal justice intervention. Recognizing violence as a crucial prevention issue for health and equity, Prevention Institute has made a major commitment to helping cities devise comprehensive plans and strategies for reducing and preventing multiple forms of violence. By cultivating communities of practice such as UNITY (Urban Networks to Increase Thriving Youth through Violence Prevention) and Safety Through Connection, supporting policy and systems change, and providing strong technical assistance, Prevention Institute catalyzes momentum for safety.
Partnerships are a key for ensuring that all children in Chicago are safe, healthy and educated, says Christopher Mallette, formerly of the Office of the Mayor. Mallette describes the benefits of ongoing communication between different city agencies in this publication, part of the UNITY City Voices and Perspectives series. Read Partnerships to Prevent Violence in Chicago for an example of how collaboration enhances local efforts to prevent violence.
Violence has far-reaching consequences for young people, families and neighborhoods, beyond serious physical injury and death. These fact sheets describe how violence affects other health problems and community concerns, such as chronic diseases, mental illness and poor learning. Children who are scared at school cannot focus on learning, for example, and people are less likely to be active if the local park isn't safe. These fact sheets were designed to persuade educators and those in health, public health and mental health that violence can undermine the work of all sectors, and that
Navigating the politics of evaluation is one component of Policy Priorities for Preventing Violence. Susan Lee of Advancement Project describes Los Angeles's comprehensive solution to gang violence, presents compelling evidence about primary prevention, and discusses ways that community advocates can work together with policymakers to make cities safer for everyone.
Kamala Harris, the California attorney general, detailed her Smart on Crime approach during a UNITY webinar in 2010 when she was San Francisco's district attorney. Read excerpts from her conversation with UNITY Co-Chair Larry Cohen for insight into the perspective of California's chief law officer. Harris explains how preventing violence is a smart way to promote public safety, and she shares innovative city strategies to reduce recidivism and keep kids in school.
Across the country, healthy food and activity leaders have identified violence and the fear of violence as major roadblocks to the success of chronic disease prevention strategies. This PI report provides an explanation of the inter-relationship between violence and healthy eating and activity.
A set of recommendations for the new administration to improve outcomes for young people, our cities, and our economic recovery and growth.
Discusses strategies and opportunities for collaboration through the creation of safe spaces, fostering social cohesion and promoting community development and employment. Read Addressing the Intersection: Preventing Violence and Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living to learn more about the impact of community violence on healthy eating and active living.
Violence is among the most serious health threats in the nation today, jeopardizing the health and safety of the public. Recognizing that law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem of violence, practitioners have increasingly turned toward a broader, more comprehensive approach. This document describes a framework that incorporates public health, law enforcement, social service, and education perspectives.
This Q&A on violence as a public health issue addresses key questions, including: Why is violence a public health issue? Is violence preventable? What is a public health approach to preventing violence? What does public health bring to solving our nation's violence problem? What is the role of public health in efforts to prevent violence? Where can I get more information about advancing a public health approach?
Join us in advancing health equity and community empowerment — get in touch today to support the Prevention Institute’s efforts.