Preventing Serious Youth Violence – What Works? Insights and Examples from the Community and Voluntary Sector

Introduction

This research shares learning and real-life examples from the community and voluntary sector on what works in addressing youth violence.

The report highlights what may help reduce violence and support prevention, informing charities, funders, and policymakers who are planning, designing or delivering youth or community safety projects.

Findings

The research found that preventing youth violence requires early support and coordinated action across services. Community groups can play an important role because they know how to build trusted relationships with young people.

The research also found that:

• building young people’s skills and confidence to manage conflict is important

• extending support to places where young people regularly go to (such as youth clubs, gyms, shopping centres) helps with engagement

• mentoring and positive role models can strengthen confidence and resilience

• the level of need for mental health support among young people involved in serious violence is high - and gang-affiliated young people face additional barriers to support

• it’s helpful to find the right time to intervene and offer ways out of violence - a ‘teachable moment’ when young people may be most receptive to making changes in their lives

• partnership working between schools, police, and community organisations supports prevention

• long-term responses are needed to address the root causes of youth violence