Resources

The role of public health in the primary prevention of interpersonal violence: A systematic review of international frameworks

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in violence as a public health issue. Preventing violence before it occurs and developing effective response strategies are key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and improving health and well-being. This systematic scoping review explores the role of public health frameworks in the primary prevention of interpersonal violence.

Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention Toolkit

Recognising the importance of involving everyone in the solution, the Wales Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) has launched the ‘Engaging Men and Boys in Violence Prevention Toolkit’, in partnership with Plan International UK. This Toolkit brings together academic evidence and professional expertise to support the development of inclusive, accessible and engaging programmes for men and boys.

As part of the implementation of the Wales Without Violence Framework, the Toolkit will continue to develop to provide a range of accessible information for understanding, supporting, and critically assessing the role that programmes designed to specifically support men and boys can play in preventing violence. At this stage, the toolkit consists of two reports and an infographic:

-“You’ve given me the courage to challenge how boys treat girls” Key Findings from ‘Test and Learn’ Projects in Wales- this report shares findings from focus groups with Plan International UK’s Test and Learn projects. Primarily, it explores evidence from practice and from literature on enablers and barriers to engaging men and boys in violence prevention.

-Investing in allies and ambassadors- Engaging men and boys in violence prevention: A Review of Programmes in Wales- this report showcases Welsh programmes that aim to engage men and boys in violence prevention. These programmes were identified by professionals as part of a survey, and this report provides considerations for practitioners, researchers, policy makers and commissioners on project development, including evaluation, and project delivery.

-An infographic which draws out the key considerations from both reports for designing and delivering programmes to engage men and boys in preventing violence.

To explore the Toolkit, click here: https://waleswithoutviolence.com/resources

Preventing Sexual Violence In The Night Time Economy: Encouraging Men To Be Active Bystanders

#SafeToSay seeks to prevent sexual harassment through encouraging prosocial bystander responses towards sexual harassment or its warning signs in night life spaces.

Building on the evaluation of Phase One of #SafeToSay, Phase Two was delivered by the Wales Violence Prevention Unit, with funding from the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, as part of the Home Office Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) fund.

This evaluation has used findings from social media and website analytics, as well as the responses to a post-campaign public perception survey.

Wales Without Violence: A Shared Framework for Preventing Violence among Children and Young People

Preventing violence among children and young people requires collective and coordinated action.

The Wales Without Violence Framework outlines the key elements needed to successfully develop primary prevention and early intervention strategies to end violence among children and young people through a public health, whole-system approach.

Serious Violence Duty Strategic Needs Assessment Guidance for Wales

The Wales Violence Prevention Unit has developed this Wales-specific guidance to support multi-agency partners to complete strategic needs assessments to understand how violence is affecting their communities and to help them develop a violence prevention strategy, as part of the Serious Violence Duty.

#SafeToSay Phase One Evaluation

The Wales Violence Prevention Unit developed a violence prevention campaign, #SafeToSay, in collaboration with Good Night Out Campaign and with support from Welsh Women’s Aid. The campaign sought to prevent sexual harassment and violence in the night time economy as COVID-19 restrictions eased in Wales.

This evaluation reports on Phase One of the campaign, which was delivered in Cardiff and Swansea between June and July 2021. The evaluation found that overall, the campaign met its four objectives by encouraging prosocial bystander behaviours in response to sexual harassment within the night time economy.

Bystander experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study, conducted by the Wales Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) and University of Exeter, explores the experiences and behaviours of bystanders to domestic violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Works to Prevent Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV)?

Violence against women domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) is a major public health problem, criminal justice and human rights issue, with a range of adverse consequences for health and wellbeing over the life course. In Wales, a key objective of the national VAWDASV strategy is to make early intervention and prevention a priority, in recognition that prevention is vital to breaking the cycle of violence in families and communities. The purpose of this review is to identify effective practice for the prevention of VAWDASV and use the evidence to inform the refresh of the national VAWDASV strategy in Wales in 2021.

Health Needs Assessment: COVID-19 and its impact on Children and Young People’s Experience of Violence and ACEs

This research, delivered by the Wales Violence Prevention Unit with funding from Public Health Wales, highlights how COVID-19 has resulted in many challenges for children and young people, including changes to routine, disruption to education and a reduction in access to support services and social activities. Evidence indicates that these challenges, together with other factors such as home life and existing wellbeing concerns, will likely have increased the risk of exposure to violence and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly among the most vulnerable children and young people.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Violence and ACEs Experienced by Children and Young People in Wales Interim Report

This report explores the impact of COVID-19 and the associated health protection measures on children and young people through a review of the available literature and analysis of multi-agency data. It captures the inequitable and long-term impact that the pandemic could have on children and young people, and highlights considerations for mitigating these negative consequences.

A rapid assessment of re-opening nightlife whilst containing COVID-19 and preventing violence

To support the work of partner agencies in re-opening nightlife safely following the first COVID-19 lockdown, the Wales Violence Prevention Unit conducted rapid research to assess the evidence and emerging global best practice for re-opening nightlife whilst containing COVID-19 and preventing violence. The report includes key examples of how nightlife has re-opened across the world, how measures to reduce risks of COVID-19 may impact on risks of violence, and provides key considerations for opening up nightlife in Wales.

Addressing the ‘shadow pandemic’ through a public health approach to violence prevention

Experts from across the globe have warned of the adverse consequences of COVID-19 lockdown and physical distancing restrictions on violence in the home, with the United Nations describing it as a shadow pandemic. This social innovation narrative explores how a public health approach to violence prevention is implemented in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic by the multi-agency Wales Violence Prevention Unit.

Prevent – Strategy to prevent serious youth violence in South Wales 2020 -2023

This strategy has been developed by the Wales Violence Prevention Unit. It is designed as a framework for the prevention of serious youth violence in South Wales. The primary audience is policy makers and professionals working on preventing and responding to serious youth violence. It is designed to empower individuals, communities and organisations to take a public health approach to violence prevention, with the support and leadership of the Violence Prevention Unit.

Serious Youth Violence in South Wales Strategic Needs Assessment: Highlight Report

This report provides an assessment of the epidemiology of serious youth violence in the SW police force area. This includes the established and emerging trends in violence, the cohorts most vulnerable to involvement in violence, the risk and protective factors for violence and the impact of violence on health care systems.