Source: (2012) Journal of Community Practice. 20:225–240
Neighborhood violence has profound effects on issues associated
with social work practice, such as health, safety, and the positive
development of children, youth, and families. This article
brings together the literatures in criminology and public health
that examine violence and social work’s history in community
practice to develop violence prevention strategies. One important
concept from the criminology and public health literatures
is collective efficacy, defined as neighbors having shared values,
trust, and a willingness to intervene in neighborhood problems.
By building on the community practice literature and studies from
peacemaking criminology, the article provides examples of ways
that collective efficacy can be built and implemented in low income
neighborhoods. Strategies include awareness of collective efficacy,
relationship building, bystander education, and restorative justice. (authors’ abstract)
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