%0 Journal Article %T Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs Work %J Journal of trauma %D 2006 %A Cooper, Colin %A Eslinger, Dawn M. %A Stolley, P. D. %V 61 %N 3 %P 534-540 %X BACKGROUND:: Hospital-based violence prevention programs have emerged at trauma centers nationwide; however, none has been thoroughly evaluated for effectiveness. Our Violence Intervention Program (VIP) conducted a prospective randomized control study to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention for repeat victims of violence. METHOD:: Patients admitted between 1999 and 2001 for treatment of injuries inflicted by a violent act were identified. Repeat victims of violence on parole/probation were invited to join the study. Participants were given a history-gathering questionnaire and randomized into two groups. Cases (intervention [n = 56]) received intensive psychosocial follow-up services, family or group therapy, and assisted with substance abuse treatment. Controls (nonintervention [n = 44]) received standard medical treatment and follow-through in accordance with standard parole or probation procedures. RESULTS:: There was no significant difference in the number of arrests in the two groups. The control group was three times more likely to be arrested for a violent crime, two times more likely to be convicted of any crime, and four times more likely to be convicted of a violent crime. The projected time of incarceration is significantly longer for the control group. Repeat violent criminal activity was significantly more evident in the control group. CONCLUSION:: Significant differences exist between the VIP intervention and nonintervention groups in terms of the quantity and severity of criminal activity.

Language: en

%G en %I Lippincott Williams and Wilkins %@ 0022-5282 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ta.0000236576.81860.8c