The root causes of and complex factors contributing to violence are found at the individual, family, community, and societal levels. All systems and disciplines can and must play a valuable role in preventing violence, reducing harm, and mitigating the lifelong effects of violence and trauma.
Research and action in preventing violence in schools and communities includes improving the environments in which young people live and learn; implementing policies and programs that establish new norms for nonviolent behaviors; equipping young people with competencies for positive development; and providing opportunities for employment, mentoring, substance abuse treatment, and access to health and mental health services, including trauma-informed care.
AIR applies a public health approach to violence prevention—concentrating primarily on preventing youth violence, intimate partner violence, and exposure to trauma—with research, evaluation, and training and technical assistance across many of society’s systems, such as schools, law enforcement and the courts, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice agencies.
