Violence free communities

Violence is preventable. We all play a role.

Violence in our homes, schools, communities, and the media is unacceptable and preventable. Successful violence prevention requires the strengthening of factors that protect and support individuals, families, and communities and reduce risk factors that threaten their well-being.

While there is no single solution to preventing violence, there is a range of actions that we can do to stop violence before it happens. We cannot accept that violence, in any form, is inevitable. We need to challenge factors that influence norms, beliefs, and attitudes that support violence. Through participation in meaningful actions, we can disrupt the belief that violence is inevitable.

The goals of the We All Play a Role Campaign are to:

Improve feelings of respect, empowerment, trust and safety among our communities
Increase beliefs and knowledge in non-violent, peaceful approaches

When We All Play a Role in a Safe and Peaceful Community, we prevent violence.

Cost of Gun Violence in Santa Clara County

Gun violence is a public health crisis and has become a leading cause of premature death that affects many communities and families daily, whether through suicide, domestic violence, community violence, or other forms. However, gun violence is preventable. Through a public health approach and multi-sectoral efforts, we can significantly reduce gun-related injuries and death in our lifetime.

In August, 2022, Public Health published the Cost of Gun Violence in Santa Clara County report. This report provides an economic analysis of direct costs associated with firearm injury and death across a continuum of public and private sectors, including healthcare, criminal justice, emergency response, mental health, and employers. Indirect costs such as victim loss of wages and lost quality of life are also included.

The Spanish version of the executive summary and full report are also available. To find other resources on injury and violence prevention, see the Health Data Reports section in the Health Data and Statistics website.

Safe and peaceful neighborhoods

Our safe and peaceful neighborhood strategy empowers residents to play a role by developing and sustaining violence prevention action plans.

East Gilroy Active and Peaceful San Ysidro Plan
East San Jose Gramercy Neighborhood

I play a role story bank

We all play a role in creating a safe and peaceful community. Whether you are a parent, youth, teacher, or community leader, your personal stories give inspiration to others to get involved in raising awareness about ways we all can make a difference in our home and community. Read or listen to our community members' short stories by clicking on each photograph below.