In Their Own Voices
Report
How fear & social media lead to youth & community gun violence in post-COVID Virginia— and what state and community leaders can do (and are doing) to meet the challenge.
Authors: Andrew Block, Lucy Guarnera, Sarah Espinel, James Watkins III, Nikita Zinzuwadia, Vaidehi Bhardwaj
“I spoke before to a room of people and I said, if somebody went in Walmart or somebody come in here and you hear gunshots, and you hear more gunshots and hear people hollering and screaming, how would you feel? And they would feel terrified. I said, now imagine living in a place where that happens all the time. The trauma that you would endure when you feel a sense of, I need something to protect myself. So the need for a firearm is not necessarily driven by, ‘I just wanna go do something criminal,’ a lot of it’s driven by fear and not wanting to happen to you..."
— Age 52, Newport News
While most young people in Virginia live in relatively safe communities, there are a handful of places in the state where youth disproportionally experience cycles of firearm violence. The factors that create this violence and the solutions that can tackle it are explored in this urgent report by a team of UVA researchers and community partners.
The report has at its core a series of conversations with adults and youth in the communities in Virginia most impacted by gun violence. The research team conducted a total of 58 interviews, each lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Those interviews, and the report generally, explore four essential questions:
- In what ways do fear and perceived threats influence youth engagement with gun violence in Virginia?
- How might social media contribute to youth gun violence?
- Which changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic are still present in Virginian youths’ lives, and how do they continue to shape gun violence risk?
- What would it take for people to feel safer in your community?
The interviews brought forward a series of common themes but one main message: we need to do more to address youth gun violence, while doubling down on what is working.
Informed by the interviews and feedback from Virginia leaders, this report provides policy recommendations for the federal government, state government, local governments, law enforcement, and community organizations that emphasize the best practices in place across the Commonwealth and suggests changes.If you would like a presentation on this report or to get in contact with the authors, Email GVSP.News Coverage
New UVA research recommends gun violence prevention strategies for state, local governments • Virginia Mercury
New qualitative research from University of Virginia professors and law students explores contributing factors to youth gun violence in Virginia as well as solutions at the state and local levels.
UVA report targets youth gun violence - C-VILLE Weekly
Gun violence in Virginia is down from a 2021 peak, but there’s still work to be done across the Commonwealth, according to University of Virginia researchers.
UVA researchers use community voices to combat gun violence across Virginia
University of Virginia researchers interviewed 60 people across the Commonwealth to understand why community violence occurs and how interventions could create safer, more connected communities.
3 simple words that could prevent Virginia teen gun violence
UVA research shows three simple phrases - "I love you" and "you can do it" - could prevent Virginia teens from gun violence in high-risk communities.
UVA researchers discuss the cause of gun violence among youth - Cville Right Now
The report highlights mental health issues and social media, among others, as key factors in rates of gun violence among youth.
General Assembly considers $36M expansion of gun violence prevention program
The Safer Communities Program currently funds initiatives in 4 cities, including Richmond.