Title: How can we prevent violence? – Understand – SaferSpaces
Headings: How can we prevent violence?
How can we prevent violence?
Safety is a human right
What makes people violent? A look at the ecological model
The ecological model
Example
Risk and Protective Factors
Risk factors
Protective factors
Coordinating efforts: The systemic approach
Levels and types of violence and crime prevention
Levels of violence and crime-prevention measures
Types of violence and crime-prevention measures
Changing behaviours – living safety
A note on "local experience"
Work cited

Content: Individual
Relationship
Community
Society
Individual
At the individual level, factors of biological disposition and personal development are identified. RISK FACTORS
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Impulsiveness
Aggression
Experience of abuse & violence
Neglect & rejection
Lack of self-confidence
Learning difficulties
Tolerance of violence & deviant behaviour
Good self-confidence & self-esteem
A sense of norms & values
Good performance at school
A school certificate
Good self-expression & communication skills
An ability to discuss problems & resolve conflict
Relationship
At the relationship level, factors deriving from close personal relationships (such as with family, friends and peer groups) are identified
RISK FACTORS
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Insufficient supervision & guidance by parents
Weak bond between parents & child
Low education level of parents
Low socio-economic status
Drug use & criminals in the peer group
Exposure to high levels of family violence & conflict
Harsh & inconsistent parenting practices
Young parents
Large family size
Loving & respectful interactions within the family
Support for good school performance on the part of parents
Parental supervision
Relationships & ties to adults outside the family
Positive role models
Reliable & stable friendships
Community
At the community level, factors deriving from the immediate social environment (such as school, neighbourhood or workplace, where social relations are formed) are identified. RISK FACTORS
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Existence of youth gangs
Low social integration
Lack of leisure activities
Insufficient infrastructure
High crime rate & easy availability of weapons
Drug consumption & dealing
Safe open spaces for people to use
Positive influence of social workers
Functioning social networks in the community
Opportunities for participation in school & at community level
A sense of belonging to, & identification with, one’s community
Availability of social services
Society
At the society level, overarching factors affecting the whole of society, which contribute to encouraging or inhibiting a creating a climate of violence are identified. RISK FACTORS
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
High income disparities, high rates of poverty
Lack of good governance
Insufficient social security
Rapid urbanisation and migration
Lack of, or difficult access to, basic services
Culture of violence: norms and values that accept, normalise or even glorify violence
A functioning social security system
A national strategy for comprehensive violence prevention and functioning institutions for its implementation
Social policies promoting and protecting the rights of children and the youth
Solidarity within society
A functioning law enforcement
As the different levels of the ecological model suggest, there is no single cause for violence and crime, but rather a multitude of risk factors influence and catalyse violent behaviour in people. Reducing these risk factors and strengthening protective factors helps prevent crime by addressing its root causes. Therefore, both the reduction of risk factors and the building of protective factors, on all levels, needs to be prioritised as an effective violence prevention approach. Coordinating efforts: The systemic approach
Due to the complex nature of violence, planning of prevention strategies requires a specific, systematic approach when measuring and analysing the problems, causes and risk factors associated with violence. Such a systemic approach to violence and crime prevention considers perpetrators and their victims as part of a social system.