Experts Shed Light on Preventing Violence

“Honestly, he’s a hero, that’s what he is. He mentored so many of us and he saw a vision of how science could be translated into practice. His legacy is exponential because of his willingness to take time to help others. This university is about how brilliant minds can work across disciplines to solve our most pressing problems and Del’s career is a strong example of that.”

Kingston adds that as a researcher Elliott was learning critical information that could be applied to preventing violence “and we’ve since learned that by putting evidence-based programs into practice we could reduce violence by 30%. His impact is so big and meaningful—he is a true a pioneer in the evidence-based programs movement.”

Both Elliott and Kingston believe the U.S. can prevent school shootings by instituting the blueprint and evidence-based programs to scale.

“Ideally schools and communities will implement blueprint programs across three tiers—universal prevention programs that can support all students and staff, programs for students with identified risks, and intervention programs for those youth that are already engaged in negative behaviors,” Kingston says. “And we have to ensure those programs are implemented well.”

She says another CSPV program, Safe Communities Safe Schools, helps schools create positive climates, prevent bullying, develop bystander reporting and response systems, better share information about a person’s concerning behaviors, and develop behavioral threat assessment and management processes. “We know when these kinds of initiatives are in place, they can avert and prevent violence,” Kingston says.

Kingston adds that the CSPV has learned from school and other mass shootings that there were missed opportunities to thwart shooters’ plans.

“We began to see the missed opportunities to intervene. In the Arapahoe High School shooting, we found that there were 27 missed opportunities. And in the Parkland (Florida) shooting, there were 69 missed opportunities. So we know we need to build systems to help avert the violence.”

Elliott also emphasizes prevention.

“Of course, we want to be prepared to respond (to a shooting) but in looking at prevention, we’ve learned a lot about red flags and oftentimes someone knows what’s about to take place so it’s about intervening early enough to prevent it,” he says. “Safe2Tell (the anonymous reporting program) came out of Columbine (the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado) and now other states are doing that, too. That program has really made a difference for an advanced warning and it has prevented a significant number of attacks and suicides as well.”

Elliott also points to programs such as life skills training, family therapy, bully prevention, family-based programs and drug prevention as ways to prevent violence. “We know they’re successful. But even with the best programs, we know we’re not going to stop every incident—and that’s sad—but we have to continue the work. We know early socialization is key. Kids aren’t getting the care of love and discipline they need.”

Kingston says violence prevention is about “creating social systems—at home, at school and in the community—that support the healthy development of our kids.”

The CSPV is planning a celebration for its 30th anniversary this fall.

Ahead of that, faculty experts from CU Boulder, including Kingston, and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will join together in a webinar from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on June 28 moderated by Chancellor Philip DiStefano focused on the public health impacts of gun violence. The event—free and open to faculty, staff and students—will include questions and answers. Information for this event is here.