The London Violence Reduction Academy was launched in June 2023 to build evidence and share best practice around ways to reduce violence, supporting the health system across the capital
In collaboration with academic partners, Queen Mary University of London, The Violence Reduction Academy has published the first UK-based review of health-related interventions focused on reducing violence affecting young people. It supports NHS Integrated Care Boards, Local Authorities and other commissioning bodies in tackling population health needs to meet statutory requirements outlined in the Serious Violence Duty.
The review looks at existing published and non-published evidence of health interventions aiming to prevent violence affecting young people. It describes four categories of health interventions: hospital-based violence reduction, psychological models of care, bleed control and’ zero responder’ (bystander First Aid) skills, and integrated health approaches, such as GP practices in youth centres.
The review illustrates that there are novel ways of working that greatly benefit the health and wellbeing of young people affected by violence. Some interventions, such as hospital-based violence reduction, have a stronger evidence base which shows this work is having a positive impact. Other models of violence reduction are less well researched, but nonetheless show a positive effect, especially for young people with unmet needs and those facing health inequalities.
The review Health-based interventions for violence affecting young people also sets out some clear recommendations and next steps.
