Violence in America is the theme of the 2024 Public Policy Analysis Challenge.
This page serves as a repository of reputable, scholarly research surrounding this year's topic. Students are invited to browse the repository to find empirical guidance and support for their policy recommendation. The repository also provides resources for community members who are interested in learning more about the topic. The information in the repository is organized into three sub-topics, all stemming from the overarching theme of Violence in America: Taproot Causes, Impact on Society, and Response Strategies.
Guest Speaker: Nikki Goeser
Nikki Goeser is a women's rights advocate whose husband was a victim of gun violence. She created this video to share her story and answer questions from Lake Forest College students.
Helpful Resources
This section contains materials handcrafted by faculty in the Public Policy Studies program to assist students throughout the research process and guide them through the various stages of the Challenge.
Public Policy Studies is committed to introducing students to industry experts with unique insights into the year's theme. This document provides details about the guest speakers and when/where their presentations will take place.
A table of deadlines and suggested tasks that will help you tackle each stage of the Challenge effectively.
Advice on how to choose a team that will propel you to success and how to be a valuable member of that team.
How to use the PsycInfo and Nexis Uni databases, both of which are available through the Lake Forest College Library.
Will Your Law Withstand Judicial Scrutiny?
An overview of the U.S. Constitution, structure of the American judicial system, and composition of the Supreme Court.
Schedule of Events
Programming Events
Panel I: Root Causes of Violence
Tuesday, February 13
11:30 - 12:45
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Guest Speaker: Dr. Doug Fields
Tuesday, February 13
4:00 - 5:00
Lillard 044
Panel II: Community Responses to Violence
Tuesday, March 19
11:30 - 12:45
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Keynote Presentation: Dr. Jerome Adams
Monday, April 8
4:00 - 5:00
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Semi-Final Rounds
Thursday, April 11
12:00 - 4:00 (Group 1), 6:00 - 10:00 (Group 2)
Tarble Room, Brown Hall
Final Round
Sunday, April 21
6:00 - 7:30
Reid Chapel
Competition Due Dates
Register Team
January 23
Select Topic and Faculty Mentor
January 25
Submit Whitepaper
April 2
Taproot Causes
Connecting the Dots: An Overview of the Links Among Multiple Forms of Violence
"The Science of Violence" - Psychology Today
Fear-Based Anger is the Primary Motive for Violence
Men Are More Likely To Commit Crimes. Why Is This So and How Do We Change it?
Understanding Why People Commit Crimes
What Causes Someone to Act on Violent Impulses and Commit Murder?
The Psychology Behind Violence and Aggression
World Health Organization Violence Survey
World Health Organization Objectives
Untangling Roots of Violence - Lessons From the South
A Problem Too Deep For Gun Control To Solve
Violence and Its Causes - Sage Publications
Psychology of Violence and Intimidation - Sage Publications
Impact On Society
Nine Types of Violence and Abuse
In Rural Alabama, a Mass Shooting America Ignored
An Alarming Number of Chicago Youth Witness Gun Violence. Schools Need Support To Help Them Heal.
Domestic Violence Reports and the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Victims and Their Children
Stalking Fact Sheets and Infographics
U.S. Capitol Police Chief on Violence
50,000 Americans Died By Suicide in 2022
Violent Crime is Surging in D.C. This Year - "We Just Stood There and Screamed"
Violent Crime Per Capita in the U.S. (2021)
Jan. 6 Attack Resonates in Smaller-Scale Acts of Political Violence
Response Strategies
From the CDC
- Violence Prevention at CDC
- Timeline of Violence as a Public Health Problem
- The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention
- The Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention
- Dr. James Mercy on His 40-Year Journey in Violence Prevention
Domestic Violence
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Teen Dating Violence
- Japan's Approach to Domestic Violence Prevention
- Illinois Lawmakers Look to Address Domestic Violence Rise With Laws to Help Survivors
- WINGS - Support Services for Domestic Violence Victims
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Gender-Based Violence and the Effects on Behavioral Health - SAMHSA
- Domestic Violence Cases - A Guide For the Judicial System
- Intimate Partner Violence Among Ukrainian Mothers
Firearms
- National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA): Crime Guns - Volume Two
- Crime Prevention Research Center
- Gun Policy in America - RAND Corporation
- Pew Research Center on Firearm-Related Fatalities
- CSPAN Hearing on Gun Safety Regulations and Public Safety
- Reflections on Gun Control by a Second Amendment Advocate
- Gun Owners and Users Debate America's Gun Problem
- Tracking the Legal Challenges to IL Assault Weapons Ban
- San Francisco Residents Seeking Concealed Carry Permits Endure Long Waits
- Monitoring Credit Card Charges at Gun Stores
- Israelis, Jews Seek Gun Ownership After Hamas Attack
University of Chicago Launches Training Academy for Violence Prevention Workers
Interrupting and Deescalating Violence: St. Louis, MO
University of Chicago Crime Lab
Benefits of Writing Programs for At-Risk or Incarcertated Individuals
Life After Prison - Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative
Atlanta's Decline in Murder Rates
Is Chicago's Shift to Restorative Justice and Fewer School Police Working?
Mindfulness Over the Loudspeaker
Paul Vallas: Chicago Needs Better Protection for Witnesses
If You Want to Cut Down on Crime, Sweat the Small Stuff | Opinion
Stalking Laws By State (Interactive Map)
Stalking Laws By State (Report)
National Human Trafficking Hotline Data Report (2021)
Golden Gate Bridge Has Saftey Nets to Prevent Jumping Deaths After 87 Years