Boston Hospital Program Cuts Gun Violence Victims' Risk by 50%

When someone survives a gunshot or stabbing in Boston, they now get more than medical treatment. They get a lifeline that could cut their risk of future violence in half.

A new Boston University study shows that Violence Intervention Advocacy Program (VIAP) at Boston Medical Center helps survivors heal and stay safe. The research tracked over 1,300 shooting and stabbing survivors between ages 16 and 34 who were at high risk of violence.

The results surprised even the researchers. Survivors who regularly worked with VIAP in the first two months after leaving the hospital saw their likelihood of being revictimized or committing violence drop by 50% over the next two to three years.

The program connects survivors with mental health support, housing assistance, food access, job training, and education opportunities. It's staffed by 13 people, many of whom have lived experience in the communities they serve.

"When people's basic social and emotional needs are met, they are far less likely to be involved in violence," says lead researcher Jonathan Jay, a community health sciences professor at Boston University School of Public Health. He calls this his most important work because it gives advocates evidence to support funding these programs.

The key is consistent engagement. Almost half of survivors met with VIAP once in their first month after discharge, but that brief interaction didn't reduce future violence risk. The 10% who regularly participated saw dramatic results.

"There's an old saying that hurt people hurt people, and that really applies to the work we do," says Lavon Anderson, VIAP's housing coordinator. The program helps people heal from trauma, stabilize their lives, and work toward goals that may not have felt possible before.

VIAP stands out from similar programs in more than 60 hospitals nationwide. It doesn't limit who can participate or require weekly attendance. If you're a violence victim treated at Boston Medical Center's emergency department, they'll help you.

The Ripple Effect

Anderson points out that when one person chooses not to feed into violence, hundreds of people benefit. Family members, peers, and the broader community all feel the impact.

The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, gives cities concrete evidence that investing in hospital-based violence intervention works. For communities struggling with gun violence, that's reason for hope.