Wales Without Violence: a shared framework for the prevention of violence among children and young people, provides an evidence-informed guide for professionals working to prevent violence among children and young people.
Led by the Peer Action Collective Cymru, a ground-breaking network of young people funded by the Youth Endowment Fund working to prevent violence, and the Wales Violence Prevention Unit, the Wales Without Violence Framework has been informed by the views and aspirations of over 1,000 children, young people and professionals in Wales.
The Peer Action Collective Cymru and Wales Violence Prevention Unit partnered at the beginning of 2022 to explore the roles that children, young people and professionals could play in preventing violence. Through workshops, events, and online surveys the Framework is the culmination of the partnership to date, which provides a guide to violence prevention that is grounded in evidence and reflects the experiences of those who have been affected by it.
“Over the past 18 months, we have partnered with the Wales Violence Prevention Unit to investigate the roles that children, young people and professionals can play in ending violence across the country. This relationship has been insightful, positive and empowering, giving young people within Peer Action Collective Cymru the opportunity to create a movement that will leave a legacy for future generations.
"To develop the Wales Without Violence Framework, we spoke to hundreds of children and young people across Wales about their experiences of violence, and their ideas of how to end it. We heard about discrimination faced by those of various sexual orientations, ethnicities, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, family structures and appearances. We also heard how those who practise different religions or are neurodiverse can be singled out and subjected to bullying and violence. Overall, we heard how children and young people want to feel safe to be themselves.
"This Framework is intended as a guide for violence prevention grounded in the experiences of the children and young people affected. As you read through it, I hope you will see, as we have seen through our many interviews, events and conversations, that there is hope for a future Wales without violence and an ambition from children, young people and professionals alike to make this happen.”
Stephanie McArdle, Peer Action Collective Cymru Coordinator
“We know that, whilst evidence from research and evaluations of existing interventions can help us understand what works to prevent violence, it’s essential that violence prevention activity is developed with those most likely to be affected by it.
That’s why we sought to ensure that the Wales Without Violence Framework was not only evidence informed but also co-produced with children, young people, professionals and communities, to provide us with a greater understanding of violence prevention activity that will work for Wales.
The Framework has been designed to support local areas in Wales to develop their response strategies in line with the new Serious Violence Duty, but it was created to support all people working with children and young people who want to explore the evidence of what works to prevent violence, and seek guidance on how to put this into practice. It is both evidence-informed and co-produced, drawing on local context to provide evidence of what works to prevent violence, and offering insight into effective evaluation practice which is crucial to ending violence."
Dan Jones, Head of the Wales Violence Prevention Unit
Click here to visit the Wales Without Violence website and download the Framework.
Notes to Editors:
About Peer Action Collective Cymru:
The Peer Action Collective is an exciting research project which engages, inspires and motivates young people into discussions about society and communities in which they live to make the world a better place. The team has staff aged between 16-25.
Each member of the team has different experiences within the issues we look at and as a result helps to teach other members of the team.
We are currently looking at more creative outlets for young people to use within our main project. Our hope is to help lower the crime rates across Wales through workshops, interview strategies and comparing all areas of Wales and finding solutions for all regions.
About the Youth Endowment Fund and the Peer Action Collective Programme:
The Youth Endowment Fund was established in March 2019 by children's charity Impetus, with a £200m endowment and ten year mandate from the Home Office.
The Youth Endowment Fund is a charity with a mission that matters – to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence, by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.
The Youth Endowment Fund know that to make a lasting difference they must do more than just fund and evaluate promising programmes. They have to make change happen – changing policy and practice – so that children are better supported and violence reduces.
The Peer Action Collective (PAC) is a groundbreaking network of young people, who are designing and conducting research about young people's experiences of violence. They'll then be supported to turn what they've learned into action. From campaigning to improve local mental health services, setting up a youth centre or supporting young people into employment – the PAC will create opportunities for young people to make their community a safer, fairer place.