A Multi-Disciplinary Scoping Review of Evaluations of Interventions to Reduce Violence in Conflict-Affected Populations

• In Event: Policies & Interventions to Reduce Violent Crime

Abstract

Despite the formal end of political armed conflicts being labeled as “post-conflict,” violence often persists across multiple levels of the ecological model - at the societal, community, family, and individual levels in post-conflict settings. This scoping review maps interventions aimed at reducing diverse forms of violence within fragile post-conflict settings. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework with Levac et al.’s (2010) enhancements, we conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and grey literature. Studies were included if they measured outcomes of violence reduction within 5 to 20 years of peace accord implementation and conflict termination, capturing post-conflict contexts while avoiding outcomes too temporally distant. This review identifies core features of effective strategies across all levels of the ecological model and highlights critical gaps in addressing underserved populations and overlooked forms of violence. Findings will inform the design and evaluation of interventions, contributing to more comprehensive, context-sensitive responses in post-conflict peacebuilding.

Authors

• Penelope Eve Lowe, Rutgers University

• Gene Feder, University of Bristol

• Mark Bellis, Liverpool John Moores University

• Sally McManus, City St Georges, University of London

• Roddy Brett, University of Bristol

• John Middleton, Association of School of Public Health in the European Region

• William W. McInerney, London School of Economics

• Estela Capelas Barbosa, University of Bristol

• Alexandria Innes, City St Georges, University of London

• Anna Katila, City St Georges, University of London

• Sara Silvestri, City St Georges, University of London

• Lucy Williams, Ministry of Defence, UK

• Ladan Hashemi, City St Georges, University of London