What was the most significant development in the construction of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit in 2005? What made the approach we adopted unique? Undoubtedly it was the application of a ‘public health model’, the recognition that the causes of violence are deep rooted and, in order to make a lasting improvement, numerous agencies have […]

The people of Wallacetown in Ayr are being asked to help shape the future of the area. Across the region everyone from teachers and fire officers to youth workers and police officers are hitting the streets to gather views from residents and those with connections to the area. The ‘Street Weeks’ sessions will run throughout

Kenneth Murray is a writer and campaigner who is passionate about transforming the public understanding of care experienced people. In a guest blog for the SVRU Kenneth argues it’s time for Scotland to unsubscribe from the endless cycle of social media abuse. Scotland is a nation that’s hurting. Log on to your social media of

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders can have a devastating impact on the development of children. It’s estimated up to 172,000 people are affected in Scotland but less than 1% have had a formal diagnosis. To help tackle this the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland are campaigning for Healthier Pregnancies, Better Lives. As part of that campaign Joan

Kenneth Murray is a writer and campaigner who is passionate about transforming the public understanding of care experienced people. In a guest blog for the SVRU Kenneth looks at the country’s cultural fascination with violence and asks why often the poverty and trauma that underpins such acts is ignored. Scotland has a problem with our

From mentoring to parenting training and out of school activities a new report looks at the evidence of what works to reduce youth violence. With the pandemic likely to increase the risk factors for youth violence, the report highlights the urgent need to understand which strategies offer the best options for prevention. ‘What Works to

Frontline health and social care workers often encounter people who have experienced significant trauma throughout their lives. In this session SVRU project manager and psychotherapist Kirsty Giles introduces the concept of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the impact they can have on individuals. She also looks at some of the tools which can be used

Young writer Jessica Tunks picked up a senior 2020 Orwell Youth Prize for her essay Knifepoint this year. In the piece Jessica looks into some of the possible causes of violent crime among young people in her area and what she believes can be done to prevent it. Discussing both the causes and solutions to

The driving force behind One Community Scotland has been awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.  Khadija Coll, who manages the charity has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition for her gender rights campaigning and tireless work supporting ‘New Scots’.  The honours are usually announced in

2020 hasn’t been the best of years. There aren’t too many silver-linings to a global pandemic, but what has been encouraging to see is the renewed appreciation for public health. ‘Viral load’ and ‘R numbers’ have become part of everyday dinner table conversation as people learn more about the life-saving science striving to keep them,