Evidence Based Approaches to Reducing Gang Violence

1
Evidence Based Approaches to Reducing Gang
Violence

• A Rapid Evidence Assessment
• Gavin Butler
• Home Office RRT GOWM
• September 2004

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Existing Evidence

• Risk factor literature
• Sociological theorising hyper-masculinity etc
• Literature reviews
• Very little evidence of effectiveness

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Research Question

• What is effective in preventing or reducing
  young peoples involvement in gang and gun
  related activity, as victims or offenders?

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Answer

• The co-ordination of gang reduction activity
  through a multi-agency, multi-modal strategy,
  specific to one city or locality
• Civil injunctions
• Peer mentoring
• School based learning

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Methodology

• A literature review reviewers collate relevant
  studies and draw conclusions from them
• Limitations, they are subject to selection and/or
  publication biases

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An REA Gives Stronger Policy Advice Because

• Based on systematic review methodology
• It focuses on demonstrable outcomes
• Screens for evidence of effectiveness
• Provides an overview of what the evidence is
  saying

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Process

• Agree question
• Agree search criteria
• Search crime and social science databases
• Review 311 abstracts
• Review 100 papers
• Identified 6 studies
• Screen papers for evidence of theory of change
  and critical mechanisms

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Interventions Demonstrating Effectiveness

• Operation Ceasefire The Boston Initiative
• Operation Ceasefire The Hollenbeck Initiative
  (LA)
• The Little Village Approach A Community Approach
  to the Gang Problem
• Civil Gang Injunctions
• Peer Mentoring for Violence Prevention
• Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT)

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Summary of Findings

• Effective programmes had the following elements
• Strong local problem analysis
• Clear management structure and leadership of the
  intervention
• A focus on problematic behaviour (gang violence)
  rather than affiliation (gang membership)

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Summary of Findings

• Opportunities as well as enforcement. Carrots
  and sticks
• A focus on reducing incidence and lethality
• Support partnership working
• Formal and informal information exchange
• Engaged community groups
• Effective marketing

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Whats Missing?

• We found what we found
• UK examples
• Cost effectiveness

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Implications

• Developing the evidence base
• Developing the REA
• Supporting practitioners

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Any Questions?

• Contact details
• Gavin Butler
• 0121 212 5230
• Gbutler.gowm_at_go-regions.gsi.gov.uk