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Evidence-Based Research

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Researchers examining charts and data

Keep up with the latest evidenced-based research from the federal government and government-funded entities. Academic studies and government reports are the backbone for prevention efforts nationwide. Evidence-based research is available for the general public, educators, law enforcement, health care practitioners, behavioral and mental health professionals, and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Each set of resources below is searchable by keyword. You can also filter the results to see the resources most relevant to different stakeholder groups (key audience) and which department/agency/office provided the resource, as well as filter by subcategory.

All the information in the Prevention Resource Finder is government-owned or sponsored.

  • NIJ Special Report: Public Mass Shootings Research

    This Special Report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) presents a synthesis of select findings from NIJ-supported research projects on public mass shootings, including school mass shootings, and identifies areas of need and interest for future research and recommendations.

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
    Key Audience(s):
    K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:
  • Comparing Violent Extremism and Terrorism to Other Forms of Targeted Violence

    The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has funded multiple projects that compare individuals who perpetrate violent extremism and terrorism and those who engage in other forms of targeted violence.[1] This article reviews findings from several NIJ-supported projects that explore similarities and differences between:

    • Violent extremists and individuals who are involved in gangs.
    • People who engage in terrorism and those involved in human trafficking.
    • Lone actor terrorists (that is, single individuals whose terrorist acts are not directed or supported by any group or other individuals) and persons who commit nonideological mass murder.

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
    Key Audience(s):
    K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, General Public, Health Care, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:
  • stopbullying.gov

    Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy. This federal government website is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and includes information on bullying, cyberbullying, prevention, and resources.

    Categories:
    Community Support Resources, Prevention and Preparedness Guidance, Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    Key Audience(s):
    K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, General Public
    Last Updated:
  • Raising Awareness of Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    On May 20, 2022, the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a new guidance document with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aimed at raising awareness of hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance provides an overview of the rise of hate crimes and hate incidents during the pandemic, including a surge of hate crimes and hate incidents against Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, and several steps that law enforcement, government officials, and others can take to raise awareness of increased hate crimes and incidents, and to use increased awareness as a tool for the prevention of and response to hate crimes.

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research, Community Support Resources, Discrimination/Hate Crimes Guidance
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
    Key Audience(s):
    General Public, Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations, Health Care, K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:
  • National Institute of Justice: Webinars on Mass Shootings

    These previously recorded webinars summarize National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-funded research projects’ latest findings on public mass shootings. Here you will find an in-depth discussion about NIJ’s investment in addressing mass shootings through innovative approaches increase awareness of mass shootings and inform prevention efforts.  

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
    Key Audience(s):
    Law Enforcement, State/Local/Tribal/Territorial Government
    Last Updated:
  • Department of Justice Hate Crimes and Youth Literature Review: A product of the Model Programs Guide

    This literature review provides an in-depth look at hate crimes in the United States. The review includes information on youth involvement, definitions, an overview of the history of hate crime legislation, rates, and trends, and interventions to prevent or reduce the occurrence of youth hate crimes. 

    Categories:
    Evidence-Based Research
    Dept/Org/Agency:
    Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
    Key Audience(s):
    K-12 Schools/Colleges/Universities, Law Enforcement, Mental Health/Behavioral Health/Human Services
    Last Updated:
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