AUSTIN, Texas – On May 22, 2024, staff from Austin’s Office of Violence Prevention joined other members of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) at an event hosted by the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The event focused on community violence intervention and collaborative efforts to build an ecosystem of Offices of Violence Prevention (OVPs) aimed at enhancing community safety.
OVPs, also known as offices of neighborhood safety and other names, operate on the principle that community safety should not solely rely on policing and the criminal justice system. These offices address public safety through a public health perspective, employing community-based strategies to intervene in or prevent violence among those at highest risk of engaging in or being victims of gun violence.
Founded in 2021, Austin’s Office of Violence Prevention has implemented several programs across the city. Initiatives such as Address Your Stress and Safe Storage Saves Lives aim to reduce violent outcomes within the community. Additionally, the office launched Texas’s first Trauma Recovery Center to support and heal survivors of violence.
Numerous local and state governments have recently established OVPs in response to increased violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting this trend, President Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention in September 2023 to mitigate gun violence and expand upon key executive and legislative actions aimed at saving lives. This recent gathering included NOVPN members from over 40 jurisdictions, marking a significant step in President Biden’s commitment to ending gun violence nationwide.
“Addressing root causes of community violence and supporting victims is crucial for our community’s well-being,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “The Office of Violence Prevention is an excellent opportunity for our department to practice intervention efforts that make Austin-Travis County healthier and safer for all.”
“The NOVPN team is excited to have Network members from across the country join us at the White House in this first-of-its-kind discussion,” said NOVPN Director Shantay Jackson. “These leaders are at the forefront in their local jurisdictions, working tirelessly with their communities and partner agencies to reduce gun violence. As we head into summer months, this conversation is necessary, timely, and invaluable.”
About NOVPN
The National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) is a pioneering learning community aiming to enhance the expertise and effectiveness of offices dedicated to violence prevention. NOVPN hosts virtual and in-person convenings; provides training on violence reduction practices; coordinates cross-OVP learning exchanges; offers leadership development; and builds OVP capacity in data collection, fund development, and media relations. The network supports new OVP creation in interested jurisdictions and partners with the White House’s National Office of Gun Violence Prevention for broader access facilitation. Established in 2021 with 21 member OVPs, NOVPN has grown to nearly 60 members including multiple state-level offices supported by NOVPN initiatives.
To learn more about NOVPN visit https://ovpnetwork.org/. For information about NICJR visit https://nicjr.org/.
