The Violence Framework

Client:

Institute for Mental Health Initiatives and John B. Livingstone, M.D.

Audience:

Journalists, screenwriters, and other media professionals

Goal:

Provide guidelines for understanding, reporting, and portraying violence

Role:

Developmental editing, copyediting, project management, and production supervision

The Framework is a tool journalists and entertainment writers can use to develop a broad professional understanding of violence. Writers who view violent behavior dynamically and who can place it in the context of human development and social forces can empower readers and audiences by bringing them closer to a true understanding of this complex and frightening part of their reality. Writers who do this become powerful partners in the solution to societal violence.

Research has amply demonstrated that the way violence is presented in the mass media, along with other forces, influences the personal development of children and the values and behavior of our citizens. The quality of reporting, documenting, and portraying violent events also impacts public policy. If our citizens are to support integrated, comprehensive strategies for violence prevention and to maintain resolve in the face of shifting political power, they must have a valid understanding.