Page 40 - Violence Prevention Through the Engagement of Violence Producers

THE CSJP III VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMME

IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF HIGH-RISK YOUTH
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The VIP seeks to identify, engage and treat individuals who are at an elevated risk of
involvement in shootings and other criminal activities. In keeping with standard practice

for effective social interventions, the VIP has a clearly defined targeting mechanism to
ensure that, in accordance with the VIP mandate, only persons on the highest level of

the risk ladder are engaged. Invariably, these are persons who are directly involved in
conflicts or persons who give direct support to parties (individuals or groups) in conflicts.

The following are factors used to determine those at highest risk:

1. 15-29 years old
2. Arrest History-crimes against persons

3. Recently shot
4. Active in gang

5. Family history of violence
6. History of violence perpetration especially shooting

7. Access to weapons
8. Engagement in high-risk street activity (extortion, robbery, scamming, drug dealing

etc.)

Persons who meet any four of these factors are deemed at the highest risk of committing
a violent crime and would thereby be eligible for inclusion in the VIP

The instrument used to identify these factors is an adaptation and development on

that which was provided by Cure Violence at the design stage of the VIP. It is a rapid
assessment instrument unlike the robust risk assessment instrument developed for the CSJP

III Case Management system. However, as shall be discussed later, given that the VIP is a
referral source for the CSJP III, the utilization of two different instruments takes away from

the coherence that is necessary for the two programmes to efficiently and effectively
support each other. So far, the experience of the VIP in use of the instrument indicates that

it needs further development.

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31 Treatment in this context is akin to the medical/health use and involves the administration of educational, social and
psychological interventions to heal/cure the client of dysfunctionalities; that is, to reduce the level of risk factors that
may cause the perpetration of crime and, or, violence
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