Coming Together to Prevent Gun Violence and Intimate Partner Violence – MacArthur Foundation

Report on the Intersection of Gun Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

A strategic initiative was undertaken to explore the intersection of gun violence and intimate partner violence (IPV), aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the research, grantmaking, and collaborative efforts designed to address these interconnected issues, which pose significant barriers to achieving global development targets.

Strategic Rationale and Alignment with Global Goals

The initiative’s focus is rooted in its direct relevance to several SDGs, primarily SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The work supports communities in creating fairer and more effective justice systems and addresses the disproportionate impact of violence on women and survivors.

Key Drivers for the Initiative

• Advancing SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The project aligns with efforts to reduce all forms of violence and create more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. It directly supports local communities working to reform criminal justice systems.
• Promoting SDG 5: Gender Equality: By focusing on IPV, a critical form of gender-based violence, the initiative seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The interdependence of gun violence and IPV is recognized as a significant obstacle to achieving gender equality.
• Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The initiative emerged from collaborative discussions with peer funders, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to address complex, underfunded development challenges.

Research and Grantmaking to Inform Policy and Action

To build an evidence base for effective interventions, the initiative commissioned targeted research and provided grants for direct services, contributing to data-driven solutions that support SDG targets.

Commissioned Research Projects

1. A Study on Gun Violence and Intimate Partner Violence: This landscape analysis identifies trends and opportunities, with a specific focus on the experiences of Black women. This addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that the needs of marginalized groups are central to policy and programming.
2. Domestic Violence-Related Firearms Restrictions: This review of state-level legislation provides critical data for strengthening legal frameworks to protect survivors, a key component of SDG 16.

Support for Direct Services and Programming

Grants were awarded to three organizations to enhance direct services, technical assistance, and training. This investment directly contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by supporting the physical and mental health of survivors and their communities.

Facilitating Collaborative Solutions Through Expert Convening

A convening of 30 funders, practitioners, and scholars was organized to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Outcomes and Discussions

• Intersectional Analysis: Participants examined how systemic issues such as racism, cultural norms, and economic instability impact responses to IPV and homicide. This intersectional approach is vital for creating inclusive solutions that advance SDG 5 and SDG 10.
• Call for Culturally Specific Interventions: A primary conclusion was the need for policies, programs, and community interventions that are culturally specific and intersectional to better address the diverse needs of survivors.
• Strengthening Prevention Strategies: The dialogue generated new perspectives on prevention strategies, reinforcing the goal of significantly reducing all forms of violence as mandated by SDG 16.

Conclusion: The Role of Philanthropy in Advancing the SDGs

This initiative demonstrates how philanthropic investment in community building and knowledge sharing can effectively support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. By providing a platform for experts to collaborate, the project has catalyzed the development of more integrated and effective solutions to the complex challenges of gun violence and intimate partner violence, thereby contributing to a more peaceful, just, and equitable world.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is the intersection of gun violence and intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. The text explicitly mentions focusing on “the experience of women and survivors” and highlights the need to better “address the needs of survivors.” It also points out that the commissioned research gives “a particular focus on the experiences of Black women which are often overlooked.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant as the article discusses the reduction of violence and improvements to the justice system. It directly addresses “gun violence,” “homicide,” and the need for “prevention strategies.” Furthermore, it references the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), an initiative aimed at making “local criminal justice systems more fair, efficient, and effective,” and discusses the role of “state-level domestic violence laws.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article emphasizes the importance of collaboration to tackle the complex issue of gun violence and IPV. It describes how the MacArthur Foundation “engaged in a short-term exploration focused on gathering experts” and “brought together 30 funders, practitioners, and scholars at a convening.” This act of facilitating “community building and knowledge sharing” among different sectors is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

• The article’s entire focus on preventing “intimate partner violence” and understanding its connection to gun violence directly supports this target. The effort to develop “resources for the field” and support “direct services” for survivors is a clear attempt to address and eliminate violence against women.

Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

• The initiative described in the article aims to reduce “gun violence” and “homicide.” By commissioning research and convening experts to discuss “collaborative solutions” and “prevention strategies,” the work directly contributes to the goal of reducing violence and its lethal consequences.

Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

• The article mentions supporting communities to make their “local criminal justice systems more fair, efficient, and effective.” It also highlights research into “Domestic Violence-Related Firearms Restrictions,” which is a review of state-level laws. This focus on legal frameworks and improving the justice system for survivors aligns with promoting the rule of law and access to justice.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

• The article is a case study of this target in action. The MacArthur Foundation, a private entity, is described as bringing together “funders, practitioners, and scholars” and engaging with “peer funders.” This collaborative model, which aims to “make space for individuals with years of research, on-the-ground experience, and deep knowledge… to come together,” exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships promoted by this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Implied Indicator for Target 5.2

• The article implies the need for data on the prevalence of IPV, especially when it mentions commissioning “A Study on Gun Violence and Intimate Partner Violence” with a focus on the “experiences of Black women.” This aligns with the concept behind Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner. The research would need to collect or analyze such data to understand trends, gaps, and opportunities.

Implied Indicator for Target 16.1

• The discussion of “gun violence” and “homicide” implies the use of metrics related to violent deaths. Progress in this area would be measured by a reduction in these events, which directly relates to Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population. The goal of the initiatives is to lower this number.

Implied Indicator for Target 16.3

• The review of “state-level domestic violence laws that include firearm relinquishment requirements” implies a measurement of the existence and implementation of such laws. While not a formal SDG indicator, this analysis of legal frameworks is a way to measure progress toward strengthening institutions and the rule of law to protect citizens, which is the essence of Target 16.3.

Implied Indicator for Target 17.17

• The article itself serves as a qualitative report on the formation of partnerships. It describes the convening of “30 funders, practitioners, and scholars” and grants made to “three organizations.” This action of committing resources and creating collaborative platforms is a practical application of what Indicator 17.17.1 (Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships) aims to quantify. The article describes the commitment and partnership-building activities.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: macfound.org