In North Carolina, momentum is building around community-based violence interventions (CVIs). These are approaches that employ trusted messengers to mediate conflict, prevent retaliation, and connect people at high risk of violence perpetration and victimization to supportive services. Growing program evidence from across the state shows that CVIs can transform lives while delivering substantial cost savings from reduced violent crime rates, strengthening community trust, and disrupting cycles of violence.
Recent successes demonstrate the potential of this work. In 2023, advocacy from North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCGV) and Community Justice resulted in the creation of the first state Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) in the South, which now serves as a hub for coordination and technical support. Local programs such as Gates City United have leveraged evaluation and community backing to restore funding, proving the value of data-driven advocacy. The North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center (NC-YVPC) found that a $1.2 million CVI investment generated an estimated $177 million in savings by reducing shootings and homicides, a return of $144 for every dollar spent. Hospitals are also stepping up: Duke University and others are sustaining hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs), embedding prevention into patient care at critical moments. In Greensboro and Robson County, CVIs are innovating youth-focused strategies, embedding violence interrupters in schools, addressing food and housing insecurity, and offering creative trauma-healing programs.
UNC Master of Public Health practicum student, Liz Royea, developed a comprehensive violence prevention report, involving interviews with over eight stakeholders working on violence prevention across N.C. Her work will inform our approach to violence prevention in Edgecombe County and beyond. Liz and ROI Community Accountability Board member, Crystal Wimes-Anderson, presented Liz’s research on Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs at the N.C. Office of Violence Prevention’s annual conference. Her report, based on interviews with leading CVI practitioners, identifies key elements of successful programs and will help guide ROI’s efforts to develop a CVI initiative in Rocky Mount. Organized by Callie Rockey, a former ROI MPH capstone student now with OVP, the event was a great chance to showcase our work and connect with statewide violence prevention leaders.
Read the report below to learn about the critical innovations being used across the state to address community violence.
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