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Crime

Crime and Violence Prevention
commentary
'Stand Your Ground' Laws May Be Causing More Harm Than Good
Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, Rosanna Smart @RosannaSmart
Sep 12, 2019
Orlando Sentinel
Americans have debated whether “stand your ground” laws or gun-free zones make us safer or less safe for decades. These are debates about factual matters that are, in principle, knowable. Without research on these and other topics, bad laws will inadvertently be passed or retained.
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Crime and Violence Prevention
commentary
No Need to Wait for Congress to Address Mass Shootings
John S. Hollywood, Jordan Reimer
Aug 23, 2019
The Hill
After three mass shootings in the span of a week left 53 wounded and 34 dead, pressure is mounting on Congress to respond with legislation to restrict access to guns and ammunition. But there is no need to wait for new laws. There are steps that can be taken immediately that evidence suggests could help prevent attacks or reduce the death toll from them.
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United States
blog
RAND's Summer Reading List for Congress
Aug 5, 2019
For busy staff, August's respite from back-to-back meetings, hearing preparation, and late votes is hard-earned. The summer recess also provides an opportunity to get ahead of issues that will resurface in the fall. To that end, we have compiled recent RAND research on topics likely to top the congressional agenda come September.
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Childhood Trauma
commentary
After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal
Ariella Iancu, Lisa H. Jaycox, Joie D. Acosta, Frank G. Straub, Samantha Iovan, Christopher Nelson, Mahshid Abir
Jul 19, 2019
Health Affairs Blog
School shootings leave wounds that affect students, school staff, families, and communities for years. Building community resilience, implementing evidence-based mental health support early, and providing access for survivors and the community immediately and in the long term could help promote healing and prevent more tragedy.
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Suicide
commentary
Preventing Suicide: Treat Mass Shooting Trauma Beyond Initial Tragedy
Joie D. Acosta, Lisa H. Jaycox
Apr 4, 2019
United Press International
The need for mental health support and suicide-prevention efforts targeting survivors of mass shootings, and the friends and families of victims, is great. Putting such programs in place could go a long way toward helping them heal, and preventing more tragedy.
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Terrorism
commentary
The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins
Mar 20, 2019
The Hill
Terrorism has become an internet-enabled abuse—incited, propagated, and sometimes organized and concealed by online activity. Who should be held accountable for abusive content, the author or the publisher? And what role should the government play in regulating it?
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Gun Violence
blog
The Most Popular RAND Research of 2018
Dec 21, 2018
RAND serves as an objective source of facts that help inform the world's most pressing policy debates. When decisions are based on the best evidence, that's when public policy can have a positive impact on people's lives. We're highlighting the 10 research projects that RAND.org readers found most engaging this year.
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Crime and Violence Prevention
article
Helping Police Find Better Strategies to Fight Crime
Dec 14, 2018
Which police interventions work best in certain situations, and which don't? A new RAND resource helps police choose the best strategies—and put them to work.
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Gun Violence
commentary
How U.S. Gun Laws Allow Mass Shooters to Slip Through
Benjamin Bahney
Nov 15, 2018
Los Angeles Times
The three most lethal domestic terrorist attacks since 9/11 were carried out with high-capacity semiautomatic weapons. None of the attackers were under 21 or were stoppable through criminal background checks. Restrictions on sales of semiautomatics would make it much harder for terrorists to obtain their most effective means of killing.
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Gun Violence
essay
More Research Could Help Prevent Gun Violence in America
Jul 10, 2018
Both sides of the gun policy debate agree on what the objectives of any policy should be. But they disagree over which policies would best achieve those goals. Current evidence for or against most gun proposals is weak, contradictory, or nonexistent. Only research can show what does—and doesn't—work.
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Immigration Legislation
commentary
Restoring Asylum Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Douglas C. Ligor @DougLigor, Lisa H. Jaycox
Jun 25, 2018
The Hill
Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded asylum protections earlier this month for victims of domestic violence. The decision and the supporting analysis goes against decades of research on violence against women. Congress could reverse the decision by amending the asylum law.
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Civil Rights
commentary
From Florida's Farm Fields, Lessons for #MeToo and Other Movements
Susan L. Marquis @susanlmarquis
Jun 15, 2018
United Press International
Organizers who want to bring about social change would do well to look to Florida farmworkers. They took on the low wages, physical abuse, and vulnerability that have long characterized agricultural labor in the United States—and won, changing the culture for the better.
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Suicide
commentary
Comparing Suicide Rates: Making an Apples to Apples Comparison
Rajeev Ramchand
Apr 2, 2018
The Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention
As the national suicide rate continues to rise, an increasing number of stakeholders are looking within their own communities and asking: “Do we have a suicide problem?” It's a difficult question to answer.
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School Security
commentary
How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?
Rajeev Ramchand, Jessica Saunders, Heather L. Schwartz
Mar 26, 2018
Fox News Channel
Many proposals to improve school safety promote the use of technology, such as metal detectors and video cameras. How effective are these devices? The evidence is mixed.
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Domestic Violence
commentary
Tackling Gender-Based Violence Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Mahlet Atakilt Woldetsadik
Mar 22, 2018
The RAND Blog
Increased poverty and major shifts in traditional gender roles for Syrian refugees have worsened interpersonal tensions, increased the risk of domestic violence, and caused challenges for aid workers.
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Gun Violence
commentary
How to Bring Facts into the Gun Policy Debate
Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral
Mar 9, 2018
USA Today
As debate continues to rage over the causes and prevention of gun violence, it's worth asking how science can help lawmakers and the public resolve longstanding disagreements that have stood in the way of solutions.
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