Arnold Ventures has announced the launch of a research agenda aimed at developing and building an evidence base on violence reduction strategies and programs in support of efforts by communities, policy makers, and law enforcement agencies to ensure community safety.

The Reducing Violence Research Agenda (6 pages, PDF) is driven by the overarching goals of reducing community violence perpetration and victimization, especially among young Black and Brown males; increasing community involvement in reporting and preventing crime; improving police effectiveness in preventing and investigating violent crime; promoting justice and fairness for all members of communities impacted by violence; and strengthening the ability of decision makers to plan, launch, and sustain effective violence reduction strategies. To advance these goals, the agenda is structured around three pillars: to address immediate crises of violence; identify and address the underlying causes of violence; and promote effective police investigations to solve violent crime.

In addition, as part of the first pillar of its agenda, Arnold Ventures has released an RFP with a focus on advancing research that improves the design, implementation, and efficacy of violence reduction interventions.

“We are heartened by the momentum for innovation and commitment of so many people around the country to address the devastating problem of violence,” wrote Jeremy Travis, executive vice president, Criminal Justice; Jocelyn Fontaine, vice president, Criminal Justice Research; Walter Katz, vice president, Criminal Justice; Anita Ravishankar, director, Criminal Justice Research; and Asheley Van Ness, director, Criminal Justice in a post. “Through investments in research on these efforts, both through this RFP and under our other two research pillars, we expect to learn from the impressive work already underway, translating this tremendous learning opportunity into a set of findings that can continue to inform, support, and advance the field–and save lives.”

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