Ideally, the cure violence model is an approach that is widely used in public health to reduce gun related violence. According to the model, violence, especially gun violence, is analogous to communicable diseases that are passed from one individual to another if left untreated (Maltz and Rice, 2015). The model stops the proliferation of violence in different communities by using the approaches related to disease control and prevention. Some of the strategies include identifying and treating the high-risk individuals, identifying and interrupting conflicts, and changing day to day social norms. In most cases, the strategies lead to a reduction in cases of violence by up to 70%. The model does not involve the use of threats of force to achieve its objectives (Maltz and Rice, 2015).
Some of the aspects of this model that I feel contribute towards its success include violence detection and interruption, identifying and changing the perspective of the highest potential transmitters, and transforming group norms. Specifically, interrupting a growing conflict before it escalates cuts off different events that are often referred to as retaliations (Maltz and Rice, 2015). Furthermore, it prevents other individuals in the community from being exposed to violent acts, thereby preventing the transmission of the behaviour. Furthermore, by changing the norms and behaviours of high-risk individuals, cure violence stops the onset and proliferation of violence at its core. Finally, the model is successful because it seeks to transform group norms, which leads to long-lasting change (Maltz and Rice, 2015). According to the model, behaviours or norms can be changed in recurrent messages regarding the new norms are heard abundantly. Therefore, it relays the desired change messages through different forms such as community event and public education, to provide different perspectives and to increase the chances that the desired norms will be heard and retained (Maltz and Rice, 2015).
Yes. I strongly feel and believe that this approach can be replicated elsewhere because the model used stipulated methods or approaches that can always be employed in different communities (Maltz and Rice, 2015).
References
Maltz, M and Rice, S. (2015). Envisioning Criminology: Researchers on Research as a Process of Discovery. New York: Springer Press
