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Background
Urban crime and violence are one of the most costly and divisive issues facing cities around the world. In most of these urban cities, violence is committed by a small number of young men. From Liberia to Chicago, research has shown it is possible to identify them, change their mindset and behavior, and integrate them into law-abiding society. Policymakers and donors seek effective ways to reduce crime and violence, particularly among young men at high risk of becoming involved in violence. The Network for Empowerment & Progressive Initiatives – NEPI (www.nepiliberia.org), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in New York in 2016 to address the issues of youth crime and violence with an evidence-based program to create safe communities for everyone. NEPI developed the Sustainable Transformation of Youth in Liberia (STYL) program—piloted in Liberia between 2009 and 2012—provided 8 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and cash grants to high-risk young men.
The STYL program consists of identifying the high-risk young men in a city and offering them an eight-week group CBT program focused on reducing automatic violent behaviors, improving planning skills and future focus, and helping men adopt a more mainstream, noncriminal social identity. This program is accompanied by an unconditional $200 cash grant, which provides income support as the young men practice what they learn and focus on changing their lifestyles. Men meet on average in groups of twenty. On alternate days when groups do not meet, facilitators visit men at home or work to provide advice and encouragement. The sessions employ a mix of lectures, group discussions, and practice, including role-playing in class, homework that requires practicing tasks, exposure to real situations, and in-class processing of experiences of executing these tasks. Like many CBT programs, these tasks begin simply and get more difficult over time.
Solution:
The Sustainable Transformation of Youth in Liberia (STYL) program successfully reduced criminal, violent, and other anti-social behaviors among hard-core street youth in Liberia, and the impact was sustained over ten years. STYL is designed by NEPI to promote future orientation self-discipline and norms of non-violent, pro-social behavior. With the STYL model, we find and enroll hardcore street youth into the STYL program, provide an 8-week program with group CBT and conduct one-on-one counseling. We expose youth to a series of role models, provide practical assignments and training, improve appearance while visiting supermarkets and banks, and provide youth with a $200 surprise cash transfer upon completion.
The RCT conducted by researchers shows that STYL reduces crime and violence, drug use, carrying a weapon, fighting with each other and police, arrest, and even things as simple as losing your temper dropped by 20 to 50%. The program is cost-effective costing 530 per person, translating into a cost of $1.50 per avoided crime. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method for mitigating self-destructive beliefs and behaviors and promoting positive ones by helping people become aware of harmful thoughts and patterns and guiding them to think and react differently. A growing body of evidence suggests that CBT is an effective crime and violence reduction strategy.
Urban crime and violence are one of the most costly and divisive issues facing cities around the world. In most of these urban cities, violence is committed by a small number of young men. From Liberia to Chicago, research has shown it is possible to identify them, change their mindset and behavior, and integrate them into law-abiding society. Policymakers and donors seek effective ways to reduce crime and violence, particularly among young men at high risk of becoming involved in violence. The Network for Empowerment & Progressive Initiatives – NEPI (www.nepiliberia.org), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in New York in 2016 to address the issues of youth crime and violence with an evidence-based program to create safe communities for everyone. NEPI developed the Sustainable Transformation of Youth in Liberia (STYL) program—piloted in Liberia between 2009 and 2012—provided 8 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and cash grants to high-risk young men.
The STYL program consists of identifying the high-risk young men in a city and offering them an eight-week group CBT program focused on reducing automatic violent behaviors, improving planning skills and future focus, and helping men adopt a more mainstream, noncriminal social identity. This program is accompanied by an unconditional $200 cash grant, which provides income support as the young men practice what they learn and focus on changing their lifestyles. Men meet on average in groups of twenty. On alternate days when groups do not meet, facilitators visit men at home or work to provide advice and encouragement. The sessions employ a mix of lectures, group discussions, and practice, including role-playing in class, homework that requires practicing tasks, exposure to real situations, and in-class processing of experiences of executing these tasks. Like many CBT programs, these tasks begin simply and get more difficult over time.
Solution:
The Sustainable Transformation of Youth in Liberia (STYL) program successfully reduced criminal, violent, and other anti-social behaviors among hard-core street youth in Liberia, and the impact was sustained over ten years. STYL is designed by NEPI to promote future orientation self-discipline and norms of non-violent, pro-social behavior. With the STYL model, we find and enroll hardcore street youth into the STYL program, provide an 8-week program with group CBT and conduct one-on-one counseling. We expose youth to a series of role models, provide practical assignments and training, improve appearance while visiting supermarkets and banks, and provide youth with a $200 surprise cash transfer upon completion.
The RCT conducted by researchers shows that STYL reduces crime and violence, drug use, carrying a weapon, fighting with each other and police, arrest, and even things as simple as losing your temper dropped by 20 to 50%. The program is cost-effective costing 530 per person, translating into a cost of $1.50 per avoided crime. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a method for mitigating self-destructive beliefs and behaviors and promoting positive ones by helping people become aware of harmful thoughts and patterns and guiding them to think and react differently. A growing body of evidence suggests that CBT is an effective crime and violence reduction strategy.
- The findings from the RCT have been featured in the Washington Post and on the influential podcast, Freakonomics, highlighting NEPI’s success in identifying a workable and affordable solution to rehabilitate street youth. Watch the talk, see the policy note, read the summary in the Washington Post, listen to the NPR Planet Money or Freakonomics episodes, or Chris-related New York Times Op-Ed about the program.
- Most recently as seen in Vox: Liberia’s found a stunningly effective way to reduce violent crimes - Vox, Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/03/cbt-violence-study-prevention/
current opportunities
Application Instructions
To apply, please email the following information to Klubosumo Johnson Borh at [email protected]
******The deadline for applications is November 20, 2022*****.
Given the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview
- A statement of purpose (Cover letter)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Names and contacts of three references
******The deadline for applications is November 20, 2022*****.
Given the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview
