Multi agency approaches

Question 1

Describe the VRU

Answer 1

The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) in Scotland considers
violence to be a public health issue and believes that through a
collaboration of prevention, enforcement and attitudinal change, violence
is preventable. The VRU has been deemed successful as it aims to address
underlying causes of violence and does positive, preventative work with
children and young people. Whilst the VRU started in Glasgow, it has now
been rolled out across the UK and in 2022, the UK Government pledged a
further £35.5 million funding across 18 VRUs across England and Wales.
Home Secretary Priti Patel stated ‘VRUs play a vital role in preventing
young people from being dragged into the horrors of serious violence’. This
preventative approach that violence is a public health concern is echoed in
other countries.

Question 2

What is a US example of a similar approach to Scotland’s VRU?

Answer 2

In the US, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
state that violence is an urgent public health problem. Like the VRU, their
Division of Violence Prevention branch apply a public health model to
violence prevention. Across the US, there are programmes based in
communities and schools to educate and inform about the dangers and
impacts of violence. An example of this is the Safe Streets programme in
Baltimore which is an evidence-based, public health programme designed
to reduce gun violence among young Americans. In 2020, Safe Streets sites
mediated over 2,300 conflicts and since it’s inception there has been a
decrease in the number of shootings in Baltimore

Question 3

A VRU programme which
has helped reduce violence is the Medics Against Violence programme. How?

Answer 3

Made up of NHS volunteers this programme works with local schools to
speak to young people about avoiding confrontational violence. This
programme has helped over 150,000 young people make better choices
when placed in a situation that could result in conflict. Glasgow has seen
fewer murders and a 69% decline in the number of people carrying knives
in the last decade.