Policy Work

Community Justice Action Fund’s comprehensive, holistic, and grassroots policy framework is driven by communities directly impacted by violence.

agenda item 1.

Invest in Proven Strategies to Prevent Gun Violence Before It Happens.

Leaders and organizers on the frontlines of everyday gun violence need resources to support their lifesaving work. Violence interrupters, street outreach workers, hospital responders and others have the experience and the tools to prevent violence, but too many of them struggle with scant funding and minimal support. Investment, training, and support for culturally appropriate violence prevention workers has proven successful in cities across the country. Federal, state, and local governments must make the necessary investments to prevent shootings and homicides.

agenda item 2.

Advance a Public Health Approach to Gun Violence

Gun violence is one of the largest health crises of our time, with it being the leading cause of premature death for all youth and Black men in America. At Community Justice, we believe that ending this health crisis means more than just solving crimes. Ending gun violence requires a public health approach that prioritizes people centered strategies to address behavior and safety measures, in addition to crime control, to end gun violence.

agenda item 3.

Ending Gender Based Violence

Gender-based violence may not look the same in every community, therefore centralizing the voices and perspectives of those at greatest risk of harm is the only way to meaningfully end it. Left out of many violence prevention efforts are lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people - despite having a higher risk of being harmed. Domestic and intimate partner violence, particularly against women of color, is also often overlooked. We must protect survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence from people who would harm them with a gun. We must also ensure that domestic violence laws do not further criminalize women of color, who are disproportionately impacted by violence in America. Survivor support services that cater to the unique needs of women of color, inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people, must receive the resources they need to be successful.