City-level violence prevention – an overview of local and international literature

Abstract

A growing body of evidence has recognised cities as optimum sites in which to conduct injury prevention research. However, there appears to be an absence of a systematic review of city-level studies in the literature. International experience has shown that injury prevention programmes coordinated at city level can have a significant impact in reducing injuries, and this has important implications for local economic growth and business investment. This overview includes available South African and international city-level studies emphasising those city-level initiatives that focused on the prevention and control of violence. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities that have emerged from the implementation of injury prevention programmes at city level. A key finding is that documented city-level injury prevention initiatives are scarce, and that evaluation, a critical component of any injury prevention programme, is missing from those articles that do exist. Without an evaluation of the implemented initiative there is no accurate way to accurately the initiative's success in reducing injury-related morbidity and mortality, or its ability to enhance the adoption of safety practices. This indicates a clear need for more investment in evaluating injury prevention strategies at city level. Intervention methods piloted at city level were not reflected in the literature, illustrating a lack of collaboration between science and society, policing and research, and the prevention sector in general. By drawing on the lessons provided by international city-level injury prevention initiatives, the article concludes by suggesting the possible replication of cost-effective preventive measures, and evaluates some of the strategies for the conceptualisation and implementation of city-level injury prevention initiatives in South Africa.

Youth Violence: Sources and Solutions in South Africa

“…Public health approaches start from the premise that violence is a public health rather than a justice issue, requiring a range of strategies to reduce and prevent it. Thus, reducing all deaths in a city whether from violence or accidents becomes a priority (Gouveia, Nethavhani, Bowman & Seedat, 2008;Griffin & Sands, 2006). The work of the Armed Violence Prevention Programme (AVPP), which has grown out of the WHO World Report on Violence and Health, exemplifies this approach (AVPP, 2003) and aims to work with national and local governments, linking communities and NGOs.…”

“…Thus, while the incidence of youth violence is clearly closely associated internationally with cities, disadvantaged neighbourhoods and overcrowded slums, there has been a pronounced tendency among governments to see young people themselves as the problem, to resort to tough deterrent measures in the hope that, as rational individuals, they will think twice about using violence. Rarely are the conditions in cities and neighbourhoods themselvesthe lack of infrastructure, schools, health and recreation facilities, longterm unemployment and lack of skills and job opportunities, the presence of drugs and guns, and an informal economy that offers alternative prospects for recognition and advancement -all place young people at considerable risk (Gouveia et al, 2008). And rarely are young people themselves seen as constructive citizens in these neighbourhoods and cities.…”