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Table 2 Topic areas and questions for violence research agenda

From: Community-engaged research to develop a Chicago violence research agenda and recommendations to support future community engagement

Topic Areas for Violence Research Agenda

Violence Research Agenda Questions

Root causes/cycle of violence

• What are the root causes of different types of violence in different neighborhoods?

• What are the different factors that play a part in contributing to or interrupting cycles of violence?

• What underlying structural factors (e.g. prison, law enforcement, school discipline) perpetuate violence?

• How is sexual and gender-based violence reflected in the cycle of violence?

• How is the justice system related to the cycle of violence at individual, family, community levels?

• What economic drivers promote or deter violence?

• What is the relationship between violence and poverty? How can the violence-poverty cycle be interrupted?

Racism and bias/structural violence

• How does racism/structural violence contribute to community violence?

• What do statistical data (e.g. trends across generations, geographic differences) tell us about structural violence?

• How is violence related to current and historical patterns of segregation?

• How is violence related to the legacy of slavery?

Trajectory of violence

• Is there a tipping point or age of intervention when it might be necessary to transition from a prevention perspective to an intervention perspective? What are the points of intervention when people are on a trajectory toward greater involvement in violence?

• What should intervention look like and when is it most effective?

• What are the effects of violence and trauma on mental health? What are the effects of mental health issues on violence?

• What affects the likelihood of involvement in violence for individuals returning to the community after

incarceration?

• For what reasons do people carry firearms?

Protective factors and nonviolence

• What are the key protective factors for youth who are not involved in violence? Why do some children grow up to be healthy and successful and others do not?

• What promotes thriving in a neighborhood?

Geographic pattern change

• Why is it historically that the same communities have high rates of violence?

• What does violence look like in suburbs that are demographically similar to Chicago neighborhoods with high levels of violence?

• Is there something unique or specific to violence in Chicago?

Violence prevention strategies

• How do public and private funding strategies affect violence?

• How effective are programs and policies at reducing and preventing violence?

• How well do existing programs, policies, and funding align with the needs of youth, families, and communities?

• How quickly do programs and policies have an impact on violence? How long do the effects of programs and policies last?

• How do unsuccessful programs and policies affect the community?

Youth

• What do youth report as their sources of belonging and support?

• What do youth report as the biggest challenges they are facing?

• What do youth report they need?

• What do youth report are good ways to engage and empower them?

• What are the best ways for adults to support youth?

• What is the role of youth in addressing violence?

Family factors

• What is the impact of the intergenerational cycle of violence?

• What is the relationship between violence in the home and community violence?

• What factors contribute to effective or ineffective parenting?

• What are the best ways for organizations and institutions to support parenting?

• How are household makeup and functioning related to violence?

Community factors

• How does violence in a community affect the overall health and well-being of the community and its residents?

• How do the quality and quantity of youth-supporting services and structures affect community safety?

• What is the impact of housing policy and infrastructure (e.g. tearing down housing projects, home ownership, and displacement of residents) on crime and violence?

• What strategies lead to community level change in safety?

• What are the characteristics of community leadership that contribute to safety?

• What strategies promote authentic engagement and empowerment of community residents in ensuring safety?

• How does the built environment impact community safety and well-being?

Schools

• What is the role of schools in addressing violence?

• What is the impact of structure, quality, and funding of Chicago’s education system on violence?

• How can the school-to-prison pipeline be interrupted?

• How does school policy affect violence?

Police

• How do the Chicago Police Department’s policing practices affect the level of violence?

• How does the level of violence affect the Chicago Police Department’s policing practices?

• What contributes to relationships between police and community?

Gangs/street organizations

• What is the relationship between gangs/street organizations and community violence and how has it changed over time?

• What is the structure of gangs/street organizations in Chicago? How has it changed over time?

• Has policy (e.g., public housing reform, law enforcement strategy) affected the structure of gangs/street organizations?

Media and public perceptions

• What is the relationship between bullying/cyberbullying/social media and community violence?

• What role does media play in promoting or deterring violence?

• What role does media play in shaping public perception and community norms?

• What role do community norms play in promoting or deterring violence?

• What is the relationship between public perception of safety and what data indicate about safety? What is the impact of public perception of safety on level of violent crime in a community?

• How can awareness and concern about violence be raised among those who live in communities that are less affected by violence?