In 2023, MCYS partnered with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit
to ensure children’s engagement in the development of its new 10-year strategy.

Professor Hannah Smithson, Dr Fatima Khan and Kate Westwood worked with 70 young people across Greater Manchester to support them in providing their views about the causes of violence and what could address it. Young people also reflected on where violence happens and what makes them feel safe and unsafe in everyday spaces.

The views of young people were central to informing the VRU’s new strategy, which was launched in December 2023 by Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham. The Greater than Violence strategy commits to taking a collaborative approach with communities to respond to the issue of violence The strategy is founded on two pillars: preventing violence from happening and responding to occurrences of violence swiftly and appropriately.

For further information contact:
f.khan@mmu.ac.uk