Social services as an arena for crime prevention - prerequisites, working methods and outcomes

Research problem and specific questionsThe increase in serious violence and public concern over this trend is intensifying pressure on the social services to take crime preventive measures. However, little is known about how the social services work with crime prevention or the results of such efforts.

The overall objective of the program is to adopt a comprehensive approach to the crime preventive responsibilities of the social services to address issues of youth offending.

A wide range of research questions will be addressed focusing on primary, secondary and tertiary crime-prevention efforts in the context of Stockholm.

These range from activities with children with no specific risk indicators to support following placements in out-of-home care.

The program has the potential to provide direction to crime prevention strategies.Data and methodSocial services constitute a complex arena for prevention, encompassing a heterogeneous client group in terms of its problems and needs.

A multidisciplinary, mixed-method approach is therefore proposed, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data and utilizing a variety of methods.

For example, interviews with professionals and youths will be employed to explore the perceived quality of crime prevention, while social care files and registers will be used in a longitudinal design to assess how different types of interventions are linked to outcomes.Societal relevance and utilizationGiven the increase in inequality and segregation in recent decades, the Swedish welfare state faces major challenges with regard to the life chances of young people.

This is especially the case in larger cities, such as Stockholm, where segregation and the recent increase in shootings have been more pronounced. We strongly advocate effective prevention as an alternative to repressive measures to deal with juvenile crime.

The knowledge gained from this research, conducted at a time when new laws are emphasizing both prevention and repression, will be decisive for policy, practice and for Swedish society at large.Plan for project realizationThe program spans six years and involves several researchers from different disciplines, which is necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach to the issue, to facilitate continuous collaboration with practice and stakeholders, and for the collection of different types of longitudinal data.

The program is divided into three interwoven work packages, designed to reinforce and complement each other.