Psychology of Violence, Vol 14(6), Nov 2024, 373-378; doi:10.1037/vio0000566
Objective: The goal of this special issue of Psychology of Violence is to energize the field to develop new paradigms for reducing violence that better meet people’s needs through evidence-based research, services, and policy. Method: Fifteen well-regarded scholars in the areas of sexual, intimate partner, youth, and community violence reflected on their area of expertise and provided concrete suggestions for future research, policy, and programmatic initiatives. Results: Several authors poignantly describe how we have failed survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence through the U.S. system’s almost exclusive focus on criminal justice solutions, despite the lack of evidence for their effectiveness in reducing violence or helping survivors’ recover. Several other authors bemoan the limited programs available for perpetrators and the need for innovative approaches that reduce their likelihood of engaging in future violence and bring closure to survivors. Current U.S. funding priorities are described and interrogated. Some authors highlight the needs of marginalized groups who experience systemic bias and disproportionate levels of violence. Other authors focus on a specific research topic or methodology, identifying important new research questions that build on past findings. Another set of authors focus on prevention initiatives, highlighting successes and failures. Many authors note that funding decisions are frequently made without empirical evidence of program effectiveness. Conclusions: These articles call for researchers to listen to the voices of all members of the global community and to collaborate with them to address violence. These initiatives require advocacy for systemic changes in how funding decisions are made. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)