Homicide Rates in the United States, and the Implemented Policy ✓ Solved

Describe homicide and how it is incongruent with social work values/ethics?

Homicide rates in the United States have been high since 1980, with a slight decline starting around 2000. In 2013, approximately sixteen thousand homicides were reported in the U.S., indicating a rate 25 times that of peer nations (Sipsma et al., 2017). This alarming trend underscores the importance of perspective from social work to identify, prevent, and address homicide.

The social work values framework places emphasis on a violence prevention approach, leveraging multidisciplinary data to tackle the issue of homicide. It involves recognizing risk factors, developing protective measures, and implementing preventive strategies that align with social work ethics centered on social justice, dignity, and respect for individuals.

Background and Actions Taken to Address Homicide

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, homicide rates have fluctuated, with a spike in 2015 where about thirty-six thousand deaths were attributed to homicide, comprising seventeen percent of all injury-related fatalities. Research indicates that two-thirds of these homicides result from firearm violence, prompting ongoing concerns about gun-related issues. Governmental aid to impoverished communities has demonstrably reduced homicide rates, although many studies supporting these findings date back more than twenty-five years. Current homicide rate patterns since 1990 indicate that renewed efforts are necessary to mitigate violence.

Trends in Affected Demographics

Historically, young adults aged 15 to 24, predominantly male and non-Hispanic black, are disproportionately affected by homicide. Communities marked by high minority populations, elevated unemployment, and poverty levels tend to exhibit higher rates of violence. Studies reflect that declining social capital and increasing income inequality are significant contributing factors to rising homicide rates.

Policy Areas Related to Homicide

In 1995, the Office of Justice Programs initiated a comprehensive homicide initiative aimed at reducing local homicide rates (Finucane, 2018). This initiative comprises two phases: planning and implementation. The planning phase focuses on understanding local homicide issues and devising multifaceted strategies, while the implementation phase translates these plans into actionable measures, commencing in Richmond, California.

Jurisdiction and Components of the Policy

The Comprehensive Homicide Initiative is interwoven with federal, state, and local statutes, specifically emphasizing stricter regulations on firearms through robust background checks and banning military-style assault weapons. The initiative pursues a dual approach that combines community-centric and enforcement strategies. Community involvement includes partnerships with local authorities and the establishment of training programs to enhance job skills, while enforcement strategies focus on intelligence gathering and collaborative efforts to address high-profile homicides (Fyfe et al., 1997).

Support and Opposition

Implementation in Richmond highlighted the importance of police-community partnerships, which fostered interventions for victims of domestic violence and a focus on interrupting gun trafficking. However, traditional perspectives on homicide have led to resistance among some law enforcement officials, who believe that crime is largely immune to policing strategies.

Changes Made to the Policy

A salient amendment to the Comprehensive Homicide Initiative involves shifting the perception of homicide from an isolated issue to one that reflects broader violence trends, enhancing the initiative's effectiveness by facilitating a wider understanding of violence (Messner, 1982). Recognizing homicide as part of a general violence framework acts to clarify and develop strategies that address the root causes of violence.

Impacts on Clients and Importance of Advocacy

Clients may express concern over gun safety due to the initiative's focus on gun control. Social workers play a crucial role in facilitating safe storage practices to avert accidental injuries and implementing programs that ensure safe routes to school. However, the discourse surrounding firearms may encroach upon clients' rights, potentially leading to resistance when social workers probe into their access to guns. To maintain therapeutic alliances, social workers should approach such discussions with neutrality, advocating for policies that prioritize safety without alienating clients.

In summary, acknowledging the gravity of homicide in the United States, alongside the historical and current socio-political contexts exacerbating it, remains vital. Social workers must advocate for change not only in policy but also in client engagement strategies, ensuring that efforts to reduce violence align with ethical practices central to social work.

References

• Finucane, A. (2018). Social Work Practice and Gun Safety in the United States: Are We Doing Enough? Patricia Logan-Greene Mickey Sperlich.
• Fyfe, J. J., Goldkamp, J. S., & White, M. D. (1997). Strategies for reducing homicide: The comprehensive homicide initiative in Richmond, California.
• Messner, S. F. (1982). Poverty, inequality, and the urban homicide rate: Some unexpected findings. Criminology; an Interdisciplinary Journal, 20(1), 103–114.
• Sipsma, H. L., Canavan, M. E., Rogan, E., Taylor, L. A., Talbert-Slagle, K. M., & Bradley, E. H. (2017). Spending on social and public health services and its association with homicide in the USA: an ecological study. BMJ Open, 7(10), e016379.
• Friedman, D. A., & Scharffs, D. G. (2016). Reducing Firearm Homicides: The Case for Forensic and Public Health Partnerships. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 22(5), 482–484.
• Lai, K. Y. (2018). Homicide Risk Factors: A Systematic Review. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 33(4), 619–635.
• Smith, S. G., Zhang, X., Basile, K. C., Merrick, M. T., Wang, J., & Kresnow, M. (2018). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief – Updated Release. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Thompson, R. A., & Kessler, R. C. (2019). The Homicide Present in Economic Disparities: A Cross-Sectional Study of Its Effects over Time. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(1), 4.
• Kibele, E., & Zatonski, W. (2019). The Relationship between Economic Segregation and Homicide: A Panel Study of the Great Lakes Region. Social Science Research, 82, 230-247.