Investing in Safe Spaces for Youth: Addressing Community Gun Violence through Prosocial Environments

• In Event: Youth Violence

Abstract

Community gun violence (CGV) remains a pressing issue, disproportionately affecting under-resourced urban areas and marginalized communities. The intention of this presentation is to highlight the role of safe places and spaces for youth as a preventive measure against CGV. By offering refuge from violence and fostering prosocial interactions, these environments contribute to positive youth development and community resilience. Using a scoping review model, we illustrate the causal linkages between investment in such spaces and reductions in violent incidents. Moreover, we examine the systemic factors contributing to CGV, emphasizing the need for structural interventions at the community and neighborhood levels. However, challenges persist in shifting societal narratives away from individual responsibility towards systemic issues such as underinvestment in community resources and lack of safe spaces for youth. Through policy recommendations and advocacy, we underscore the imperative of prioritizing safe spaces as a fundamental strategy in mitigating CGV and fostering long-term community well-being. We end by highlighting the ways in which community organizations are taking steps to create safe spaces and places for youth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Authors

• Karissa Pelletier, Temple University

• Caterina Roman, Temple University