Community and Academic Partner Perspectives on Collaborating Toward a Reduction in Community Gun Violence.

Abstract

South Carolina ranks 10th in the nation for firearm death rates. The homicide rate increased by 22.1% in 2020, the highest rate since 1993, identifying an urgent need for intervention. The Medical University of South Carolina Community Engaged Scholars Program provides community-based participatory research training and seed funding for projects to improve health in South Carolina. This article describes a collaboration between a grass-roots community organization and academic partner. The Tri-County Gun Violence Coordinating Council (GVCC) was created to address gun violence in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties by facilitating coordination among stakeholders and developing a comprehensive gun violence reduction strategy. We explore perspectives of both the community and academic partner on collaborating toward a reduction in community gun violence.