The Health CARE Collaborative for Justice: A multi-stakeholder, community-engaged approach to research and policy to support Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs

• In Event: Integrating Perspectives: Developing a multi-faceted understanding of community violence and safety

Abstract

The Center for Innovations in Community Safety (CICS) is leading research on the experiences of gunshot victims in hospital settings, focusing on interactions with law enforcement during their trauma and recovery. Using stakeholder surveys, law enforcement focus groups, and interviews with survivors of violence, we identified frequent negative interactions between law enforcement, staff, and patients, which may hinder the success of hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs). Our study findings underscore the need for clear policies and protocols to guide these interactions and minimize harm to patients.
In response, CICS launched the Health CARE Collaborative for Justice in 2023. This consortium includes trauma surgeons, law enforcement, community advocates, survivors of violence, and their family members, whom we are engaging in a participatory policy making process that will also initiate a multi-stakeholder training process. By leveraging insights from diverse stakeholders, our research informs the development of policies and practices that prioritize the well-being and dignity of gunshot victims in hospital settings. Through collaborative efforts among survivors of violence, law enforcement, and healthcare stakeholders, we aim to create more supportive environments for survivors of gun violence, ultimately advancing the goals of HVIPs in promoting healing and recovery.

Authors

• Cassandra Ramdath, Georgetown University

• Lucia Mock, Georgetown University

• Linda Phiri, Georgetown University