Community Stakeholder Perceptions: Development of a Targeted Violence Prevention Training

• In Event: Fear, Myths, Perceptions, and Exposure to Terrorism and Political Violence

Abstract

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority’s Targeted Violence Prevention Program (ICJIA-TVPP) was awarded funding to develop and pilot an engaged bystander-gatekeeper program to help increase community resiliency, so community members are better positioned to effectively engage and refer individuals who may be exhibiting distressing or concerning behaviors specifically related hate- and terror-inspired violence (e.g. hate crimes, acts of terrorism, school/mass shootings). ICJIA researchers tasked with evaluating the process of the training development and program implementation engaged a wide range of community stakeholders from each pilot location in a series of focus groups to inform curriculum development. These focus groups provided keen insight into community concerns, barriers, and topics to help in developing the training curriculum. This presentation summarizes the main focus group findings and concludes with implications for training and program development.

Authors

• Megan Alderden, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

• Lily Gleicher, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority