This overview of community violence intervention (CVI) strategies first provides a brief history of community violence interventions, followed by descriptions of several CVI models.
“Community violence” is defined as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against another person, group, or community in a specific location that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” CVI has been featured for decades, with community-based organizations reducing violence through locally driven, data-informed alternative public safety measures. This overview summarizes the features of several CVI models. Group violence interventions (GVIs) are a form of problem-oriented policing based on the understanding that a small, identifiable group within a community is responsible for most violence. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HIVIPs) involve partnerships of medical staff and appropriate community agencies in providing services for victims of violent crime through safety planning, services, and trauma-informed care. Violence Interrupters (VIs), or street-level conflict mediators, are the main component of street outreach programs intended to prevent violence by connecting with high-risk individuals to address issues underlying violent behavior. Community-driven crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is a multidisciplinary strategy that uses urban planning, architectural design, and the management of spaces to reduce gun violence. This model is based in the view that how buildings and natural environments are designed spatially and in appearance can encourage or discourage violent behavior.