Adapting an American Violence Interruption Program in Uruguay: Challenges and Early Results

• In Event: Public Health Approaches to Violence Prevention in the Americas: Lessons in Implementation and Evaluation

Abstract

Between 2012 and 2022, Uruguay registered a 37% increase in the homicide rate, rising from 7.8 to 10.7 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. This phenomenon was particularly concentrated in Montevideo. The increase in lethal violence, together with its social and territorial concentration, highlighted the need to implement targeted interventions to reduce this phenomenon. However, Uruguay had virtually no history of programs specifically designed to prevent these crimes, up until 2014, where the Ministry of the Interior with multilateral support started the local adaptation of the Cure Violence Global (CVG) strategy, Barrios Sin Violencia (BSV), in Montevideo neighborhoods with a high incidence of homicides. The panel will present the findings of the initial process evaluation, focusing on start up stages, training, initial deployment, monitoring arrangements and mediation results. The panel aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with these initiatives, encouraging dialogue on operational recommendations, monitoring indicators and future directions for new adaptations of the CV

Authors

• Emiliano Rojido, Ministry of Interior, Uruguay

• Beatriz Abizanda, Inter-American Development Bank