Violence

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  • Report

    How Violent Extremists Behave Online

    Exploitation of the internet by violent extremists is as old as the technology itself. But ideologically motivated violent extremism (IMVE) actors generally, and especially in online spaces, have been adapting to and adopting the evolving technological landscape in more sophisticated ways.

    Jun 28, 2023

  • Commentary

    When Mass Shooters Are Seeking Fame

    What motivates mass shooters? And what might break the cycle of violence? Developing an effective policy response first requires better understanding of the factors that drive would-be attackers to kill.

    Jul 13, 2023

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  • Report

    Report

    A Gap Analysis of the Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act Portfolio

    This report presents findings from a gap analysis, which examined the extent to which best practices for juvenile justice systems are considered in funding decisions for Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act–funded programs in Los Angeles County.

    Jan 4, 2022

  • Blog

    The Most Popular RAND Research of 2021

    As another extraordinary year draws to a close, we continue to believe that objective, nonpartisan research and analysis has a key role to play in navigating what continues to be a difficult time. Here are the 10 research projects that resonated most with rand.org readers in 2021.

    Dec 22, 2021

  • Jacqueline Burns, bottom right, with Ambassador Donald Booth, at an Internally Displaced Person camp in Darfur, Sudan, in 2016, over a map of Sudan, photo courtesy of Jacqueline Burns; images by oxygen and JeanUrsula/Getty Images; design by Chara Williams/RAND Corporation

    Q&A

    Helping People Affected by Conflict: Q&A with Jacqueline Burns

    From the Air Force to Africa to RAND, Jacqueline Burns resolved to help people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict or disaster. As a senior policy analyst she wants to be a part of finding better solutions to the complex questions of peace and security.

    Dec 22, 2021

  • Tool

    Tool

    Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) for American Indian Youth

    The Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) program helps students exposed to traumatic events who are experiencing emotional or behavioral problems. This tool is an adaptation of the CBITS program for American Indian youth.

    Dec 22, 2021

  • Blog

    RAND Commentary Highlights of 2021

    Vaccine rollouts, an attack on the U.S. Capitol, massive ransomware attacks, the withdrawal from Afghanistan, record numbers of job openings and people quitting, and more. RAND researchers weighed in on all these topics and more.

    Dec 21, 2021

  • Multimedia

    RAND Video Highlights of 2021

    The best RAND videos from the past year brought our research to life in new ways. From the sidewalks of Pittsburgh to preschools in the Middle East, see how people around the world are using RAND research to make their communities safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous.

    Dec 20, 2021

  • Barbed wire and protective fencing surrounds the U.S. Capitol, as the sun sets in Washington, February 21, 2021, photo by Al Drago/Reuters

    Multimedia

    RAND Remote: America's Response to Terrorism

    In this RAND Remote conversation, Brian Michael Jenkins, senior adviser to the RAND president, and senior behavioral scientist Rajeev Ramchand discuss how the terrorism threat to America has changed over the past 20 years.

    Dec 16, 2021

  • US Army Soldier in Universal Camouflage Uniform

    Multimedia

    Combating Extremism in the U.S. Military

    RAND military sociologist Marek N. Posard describes the threat of extremism in the U.S. military, the ways in which extremism develops, and strategies the military could use to combat extremism.

    Dec 9, 2021

  • RAND Weekly Recap

    Blog

    Addressing Anti-Asian Racism, Stabilizing U.S. Rivalries, the Debt-Ceiling Fight: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on countering anti-Asian racism, the instability of U.S. rivalries with Russia and China, the rise in extremist online activity, and more.

    Dec 3, 2021

  • A woman with a smartphone is seen in front of social media logos, May 25, 2021, photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters

    Commentary

    Understanding the Online Extremist Ecosystem

    By the early 2010s, it was clear that the internet provided white supremacists and other extremists a tool to operationalize their hateful ideas and cause real-world harms. How can the average user understand their risk of exposure to extremist content and make informed decisions about the platforms they use?

    Dec 2, 2021

  • News Release

    News Release

    Addressing Anti-Asian Racism Requires Gathering Better Information About the AAPI Community and Its Needs

    The recent rise of anti-Asian attacks across the United States has galvanized the community to build newfound alliances and resilience, with advocates working to increase reporting of hate incidents and developing strategies to fight anti-Asian racism.

    Nov 30, 2021

  • Illustration of two heads facing away from each other. One is blue and has a minus sign overlaid and the other is yellow and has a plus sign overlaid, illustration by DrAfter123/Getty Images

    News Release

    Wide Disagreement Remains Among U.S. Gun Policy Experts; Five Policies Show Less Disagreement

    Wide disagreement remains among U.S. experts who study gun policy issues, with differing opinions about how much individual policies may reduce gun violence and other harms caused by firearms. Researchers found there were generally two ideological camps—a restrictive group (who favor more-restrictive regulatory approaches to gun ownership and use) and a permissive group (who favor more-permissive regulatory approaches to gun ownership and use).

    Nov 30, 2021

  • Tool

    What Are the Predicted Effects of U.S. Gun Policies, According to Experts?

    As part of the RAND Gun Policy in America initiative, experts with diverse gun policy views were surveyed on how they predicted specific gun laws would affect outcomes, such as suicide, mass shootings, and individuals' privacy. This expert-opinion tool shows where these experts agree and disagree.

    Nov 30, 2021

  • People take part in a Stop Asian Hate rally at Times Square in New York City, April 4, 2021, photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

    Report

    Addressing Anti-Asian Racism in the Era of COVID-19

    Public anxiety and fear during the pandemic and negative rhetoric by politicians triggered the current wave of anti-Asian hate. It has galvanized the community to build newfound alliances and resilience. Advocates are working to increase reporting of hate incidents and develop strategies to fight anti-Asian racism.

    Nov 30, 2021

  • An illustration of two silhouettes facing different directions, over a background of guns surrounding a map of the United States. Illustration by Alyson Youngblood / RAND Corporation

    Report

    The Magnitude and Sources of Disagreement Among Gun Policy Experts: Second Edition

    This report describes combined results from two fieldings of a survey of gun policy experts designed to identify areas of agreement and whether disagreements stem from assumptions about the policies' effects or from differences in policy objectives.

    Nov 30, 2021

  • A cyclist rides along fencing surrounding the U.S. Capitol that was erected in the wake of the January 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C., July 8, 2021, photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

    Commentary

    Politicians Face Violence and Threats from Voters—and Each Other. Are We Nearing a Civil War?

    Does America's increasingly uncivil behavior mean we are heading toward civil war? The historical record seems to indicate that the country has a high tolerance for violence without breaking apart. But the threat of civil wars cannot be dismissed.

    Nov 15, 2021

  • Tool

    Tool

    Self-Assessment Guide for University Prevention Programs Focused on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

    This guide provides detailed step-by-step instructions to help civilian universities and colleges assess their own programs to prevent sexual assault and harassment.

    Nov 10, 2021

  • A member of the local Explosives and Ordnance Division wearing a specialized suit tries to install a water diffuser to an improvised explosive device during a bomb drill in a high school courtyard in Manila, Philippines, July 14, 2017, photo by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters

    Commentary

    Defining 'Terrorism' Is the First Step to Defeating It

    Western policy- and decisionmakers continue to grapple with how to define acts of terrorism and when it is appropriate to bring terrorism charges. Establishing a consensus on the definition of terrorism and bringing to center stage the importance of adequately charging acts of terrorism could be more important than ever.

    Nov 8, 2021

  • RAND Weekly Recap

    Blog

    North Korea, Sexual Violence in the U.S. Military, America's Labor Shortage: RAND Weekly Recap

    This weekly recap focuses on dealing with a nuclear North Korea, preventing sexual violence in the military, supporting immigrant children in U.S. schools, and more.

    Nov 5, 2021

  • BriGette McCoy, former specialist in the U.S. Army, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on sexual assault in the military in March 2013, photo by Carolyn Kaster/AP Images

    Essay

    Preventing Sexual Violence in the Military

    The military has worked hard in recent years to raise awareness about the problem of sexual violence. But it needs to take a big step forward to make investments and change the culture in ways that will deter sexual assault and sexual harassment by holding perpetrators and leaders accountable.

    Nov 2, 2021