Violence interventions, also called community violence interventions, are programs that focus on people who are most at risk of being a victim of or committing an act of firearm violence. These programs are rooted in a public health approach to preventing firearm violence. They also focus on communities that not only face high rates of violence, but those that also deal with disinvestment, systemic racism and other public health issues.
These interventions also rely on credible messengers, meaning people who are from the community and have been involved with firearm violence, whether as a victim or perpetrator. Programs are not only focused on breaking the cycle of violence, but also aim to provide people with access to things like housing and employment. Those issues in particular often go hand in hand with the risk of being a victim or perpetrator.