Scotland was the 'murder capital of Europe'. Then it started treating violence like a disease

Key Points:

• In the early 2000s, Scotland had one of the highest rates of violent crime in the developed world, with Glasgow experiencing the highest murder rate in Europe, but a shift in approach led to significant reductions in violence over the following decade.
• The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU), established in 2005, treated violence as a public health issue rather than solely a criminal justice problem, focusing on prevention and intervention through community engagement, education, and health partnerships.
• Innovative initiatives included gang intervention sessions in court, hospital-based violence support programs, and training for professionals like dentists to identify and respond to violence-related injuries early.
• Scotland's approach drew on successful models from the US and WHO guidelines but adapted them to local contexts, resulting in a 56% drop in Glasgow's homicide rate and a 38% decline across Scotland, making it one of the safest countries in Europe.
• Despite progress, challenges remain, including the impact of social media, poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic, with ongoing efforts focused on addressing these issues and expanding violence reduction strategies across the UK.