Overcoming Violence

Violence is preventable

Violence and trauma happen all around us—in our homes, in our communities, to whole populations. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept it—because it’s possible to prevent. It’s possible to heal. We’re dissecting the whys and hows behind violence to stop it before it starts, repair its damage, and build resilience.

We’re starting at the source, understanding the root causes that trigger violence and the lasting harm caused by violence and prejudice in all forms. We’re bringing scientific rigor to the quest for effective policies. And we’re taking data-driven approaches to determine what solutions actually work. We’re also digging into the emotional, physical and genetic drivers of resilience so we can all heal better.

We’re advancing the science of safer, stronger, and more just communities.

Recent Stories

Access to guns contributes to rise in teen suicides

A 50% increase in youth suicides in Florida over the past decade has been fueled, in part, by young people’s access to guns, according to a December 30, 2019 article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The article noted that guns—which play…

Does creating gun-free zones increase safety?

Some communities have designated certain public spaces, like courthouses and municipal buildings, as gun-free zones. But experts say there’s no conclusive evidence as to whether establishing such zones increases safety. A December 4, 2019 story on WAMU (Washington, D.C.’s NPR station) described…

Pervasive discrimination experienced by minority groups in U.S.

In a series of articles, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers indicate that adults in several minority groups face discrimination in many aspects of their lives. In the midst of national debates on the extent of discrimination in the lives…

How a database helps prevent violent deaths

Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) has been crucial in helping policymakers, health care workers, and researchers understand more about what leads to violent deaths, including homicides and suicides, and how to help…

Stephen Marks, Dyann Wirth named AAAS Fellows

Professors Stephen Marks and Dyann Wirth of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Marks, François-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Health and Human Rights in the Department of Global…