What works to prevent youth violence: evidence summary
This report draws together high-quality international evidence about what works to prevent youth violence, to inform policymakers and practitioners about the evidence base and effectiveness associated with different approaches and interventions.
Annex E: Out of Scope Interventions
Two possible reasons for an intervention being out of scope have been identified:
i) Topic out of scope – areas which are wider than preventing violence[41], and/or where the policies relating to this would sit outwith the remit of Justice Analytical Services, and/or where interventions focus exclusively upon reducing violence perpetration in young people (rather than preventing it from happening).
ii) Evidence base out of scope: i.e. we have looked at the evidence base, but it does not directly address violence related outcomes, therefore we cannot draw trustworthy conclusions regarding the impact of such interventions on violence prevention or reduction.
The table below details interventions that have been classified as out of scope for this review. Where possible, web links have been included to published work in this area. Whilst this report focuses on primary prevention, all reviews of the literature that were examined highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to violence that encompasses primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Table showing interventions and topics that were identified as out of scope for this report:
Justice, legislative, and policy focussed interventions |
|
|---|---|
Legislative changes |
Topic out of scope Legislative changes have been identified as beyond the scope of this report. As such, legislative changes are not explored. |
Criminal justice interventions for youth violence |
Topic out of scope As this report focuses on pre-criminal and prevention-focused interventions, criminal justice interventions such as remand and custodial sentences are out of scope. However, the What Works to Reduce Re-Offending (2015), which is due to be updated in 2021, will review international evidence on the extent to which these interventions reduce youth reoffending. |
Policy change and interventions seeking to address macro-social determinants of youth violence (e.g. poverty and social inequalities) |
Evidence base out of scope These approaches are beyond the scope of this report. Due to the availability of evidence, we have limited the scope to focus on individual, relationship, and community-level interventions. Whilst society level risk and protective factors such as these are important, they are not amenable to the same type of evaluation/evidence base as the interventions and programmes that have been included in this report. As such, these approaches are not explored within the context of this report. |
Intervention cost and cost effectiveness |
|
Cost and cost effectiveness |
Evidence base out of scope cost and cost effectiveness have not been covered within this report due to limited available evidence |
Interventions aimed at those already involved in violence |
|
Therapeutic approaches |
Topic out of scope Therapeutic programmes include those that involve cognitive and behavioural therapy-based techniques which aim to reduce symptoms of mental health and behavioural challenges (and in some cases improve family functioning (e.g. functional family therapy, trauma-focused therapy-based programmes and multi-systemic therapy)). As this report focuses on prevention-focused interventions, and evaluation research has concentrated on the impact of therapeutic programmes on young people with a history of engaging in violence, interventions that take this approach are out of scope. However, the What Works to Reduce Re-Offending (2015), which is due to be updated in 2021, will review the international evidence on the extent to which these programmes reduce reoffending. |
Vocational training |
Topic out of scope Vocational training involves offering young people, who have a history of violence involvement, the opportunity to acquire technical, trade or supervisory knowledge and skills (WHO, 2010:40). As this report focuses on pre-criminal justice and prevention-focused intervention, programmes that involve vocational training are out of scope. However, the What Works to Reduce Re-Offending (2015) report, which is due to be updated in 2021, will review the international evidence on the extent to which vocational training reduces reoffending. |
Hospital-based programmes |
Topic out of scope Hospital-based programmes can provide the opportunity to intervene where young people have been injured through their involvement in violence. As this report focuses on pre-criminal and prevention-focused interventions, hospital-based programmes aimed at those with a history of being involved violence are out of scope. However, the What Works to Reduce Re-Offending (2015), which is due to be updated in 2021, will review the international evidence on the extent to which programmes implemented within the context of hospital reduce reoffending. |
Deterrence/ discipline-based programmes for those already involved in violence |
Topic out of scope Deterrence and discipline-based approaches are based on confrontation, discipline, and control that aim to deter young people from re-offending (e.g. military-style boot camps). As this report focuses on pre-criminal justice and prevention-focused interventions, programmes that take this approach are out of scope. However, the What Works to Reduce Re-Offending (2015) report which is due to be updated in 2021, will review the international evidence on the extent to which deterrence and discipline-based programmes reduce reoffending. |
Response and support services |
|
Interventions designed to support young people who are victims of violence |
Topic out of scope Given a focus on preventing violence before it happens, intervention focused on supporting young people who are victims of youth violence are out of scope. Although victimisation is a predictor of violence perpetration in youth, limited evidence has examined the effectiveness of this approach to preventing youth violence. As such, this approach is not explored in this report. |
Additional interventions out of scope |
|
Community and problem oriented policing |
Evidence out of scope Whilst research has investigated the impact of community and problem oriented policing on violence outcomes more broadly, there is limited evidence relating to the impact of this intervention specifically on youth violence or violent crime in young people. As such, this approach is not explored in this report. |
Addressing the harmful impact of alcohol and drugs |
Topic out of scope While an important facilitator of perpetrator use of violence, interventions relating to harmful use of alcohol and substances have been deemed out of scope within this report |
Contact
Email: Frances.warren@gov.scot
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