How Scotland Is Curing Violent Crime

Glasgow, once known as Europe's murder capital, has seen a 60% drop in homicides due to a novel approach treating violence as a disease. The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) was established in 2005, inspired by Gary Slutkin's work on treating violence like a contagious disease. The VRU's strategy focuses on interrupting violence transmission, identifying at-risk individuals, and changing community attitudes. This approach has led to a significant reduction in violent crime and has been adopted nationwide in Scotland. The success has inspired other cities, like London, to consider similar strategies.

What was the primary reason for the establishment of the Violence Reduction Unit in Glasgow?

• To reduce unemployment rates

• To build more prisons

• To treat violence as a preventable disease

• To increase police presence in the city

Who inspired the VRU's strategy to treat violence as a contagious disease?

• A European criminologist

• An American physician

• A local community leader

• A Scottish politician

Which of the following is NOT a key area of the VRU's approach?

• Changing community attitudes

• Increasing police patrols

• Identifying at-risk individuals

• Interrupting violence transmission

What was one of the economic benefits of the VRU's approach in Scotland?

• More foreign investments

• Increased tourism

• Higher employment rates

• Reduced healthcare costs

Which city announced plans to follow Scotland's example in reducing violence?

• Paris

• New York

• Berlin

• London