Introduction: The Overlooked Epidemic
Justice-involved young women are at an alarmingly high risk of experiencing violence, yet interventions to prevent or respond to such violence are critically lacking. A recent scoping review titled Interventions to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Justice-Involved Young Women: A Scoping Review highlights this pressing issue. This blog explores the findings of this review and discusses how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve outcomes for this vulnerable group.
Key Findings: What the Data Reveals
The scoping review synthesized evidence from 14 studies, all conducted in the United States, focusing primarily on tertiary interventions. These interventions aim to address the mental health impacts of violence, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, there is a significant gap in primary and secondary interventions, which are crucial for preventing violence before it occurs.
- Tertiary Interventions: Evidence suggests that CBT can reduce mental health impacts of violence among justice-involved young women. However, these interventions are not universally accessible or implemented.
- Primary and Secondary Interventions: There is a dearth of evidence-based strategies to prevent initial violence or revictimization, highlighting a critical gap in current practices.
- Geographical Limitations: All studies were conducted in the U.S., limiting the generalizability of findings to other contexts.
Implications for Practice: Bridging the Gap
For practitioners, the review underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that incorporate all levels of violence prevention—primary, secondary, and tertiary. Here are some actionable steps:
- Incorporate CBT: Given its potential benefits, integrating CBT into existing programs could help mitigate the mental health impacts of violence.
- Develop Primary Interventions: Focus on creating interventions that prevent violence from occurring, such as education on healthy relationships and self-efficacy.
- Engage in Further Research: Practitioners should advocate for and participate in research that explores diverse intervention strategies across different geographical contexts.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The findings from the scoping review highlight an urgent need for effective, evidence-based interventions to prevent and respond to violence against justice-involved young women. Practitioners play a crucial role in bridging this gap by implementing data-driven strategies and advocating for comprehensive research.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Interventions to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Justice-Involved Young Women: A Scoping Review.
