As a tumultuous 2017 comes to a close, we remind ourselves of our vision and principles. Cure Violence envisions a world without violence.  We are guided by clear principles, including understanding violence as a health issue, that individuals and communities can become safer and healthier, that community partners and strategic partnerships are keys to success, and that trained, credible, health workers can use their influence to talk people out of violence.

Despite the many challenges we all face, we have made great progress towards this vision. Here are some of the highlights from 2017:

Reducing Violence Globally

  • The Cure Violence approach is currently being implement in 10 countries across more than 25 cities and 60 communities
  • New York City became the biggest replication site ($22.5 million), Chicago had state funding returned and is hiring 100+ workers, Baltimore is in the city budget for the first time with plans for a major expansion of the program, and Omaha and Durham became the newest cities implementing the approach
  • Sites in Juarez and Chihuahua (Mexico) had reductions in killings of more than 50% reduction and have plans for expansion
  • Programs in Honduras and El Salvador continue to show strong results, with a recent study showing 88% reductions in shootings and killings in communities in San Pedro Sula; the Honduras program expanded in 2017 and the El Salvador program will expand in 2018
  • Initial results from an independent study in Trinidad has shown a 67% reduction in woundings and attempted killings.
  • Implementation has begun in Colombia and Argentina
  • Partnered in the West Bank with the Salam Institute, to create a network of 25 trainers and violence interrupters from the cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Tulkarem, Qalqiliya, Jenin, and Jerusalem; they interrupted over 100 incidents during a period of less than one month and trained an additional 200 youth and adults in the Cure Violence approach
  • In November, began a new project in Syria, in collaboration with the Stockholm International Peace Research Initiative (SIPRI), aimed at adding public health into international diplomacy as well as to add interruption and norm change

Cure Violence Organization and Model

  • Ranking among the top NGOs in the world rose to #12 overall, and #1 for organizations focused on violence prevention
  • Developing a new business model that includes fee-for-service, new city training, spokesperson training, and online training
  • Adapting the model to address other forms of violence, including domestic violence, ideologically-inspired violence, and violence in active conflict zones
  • Developing a Cure Violence Interrupter Phone App in partnership with DePaul University to improve conflict mediation outcomes and worker safety

Results

The Movement to Make Violence a Health Issue

2017 has been a big year for Cure Violence and our partners.  We are grateful for everyone involved in this work and appreciate your support in our efforts. Together, we can cure violence!

Best wishes for a peaceful holiday season!