Travis County launches pilot gun violence intervention program

Commissioners approved a $500,000 contract Oct. 22 with Ascension Seton to launch a pilot Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program, or HVIP, intended to “disrupt” the cycles of gun violence, the release states.

The program will also focus on those who have experienced assault or stabbing. This intervention program will identify victims of violence and their families in order to provide trauma-informed care, offering support during hospital stays and following up post-discharge.

“These programs are some of the most effective at reducing gun violence in the country," Hogg said. "Not only do they save lives, they can save a lot of money at the same time."

He alluded to the long-term money saved by prevention rather than after-the-fact treatment.

“My metaphor for these hospital-based violence intervention programs a lot of the time is ‘would you rather have a polio vaccine or a bunch of iron lungs?’” Hogg said. “Which one of those is going to be cheaper over time?”

According to the news release, program staff will also refer individuals to community partners specializing in mental health, substance abuse stabilization, shelter, food, financial resources, legal advocacy and employment assistance. The program’s ultimate goal is to reduce gun violence by lowering the risks of re-injury, retaliation, re-victimization and hospital readmission.

By the numbers

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, indicates that more than seven out of every 10 medically treated firearm injuries result from firearm-related assaults.

The data also shows men represent 86% of all victims of firearm death and injuries, with rates the highest among teens and young adults ages 15-34.

Jenny Lang, director of strategic operations at Ascension Seton, informed commissioners that an estimated 54% of American adults have either personally experienced or have a relative who has experienced a firearm-related incident.

Though Austin has historically had a relatively low gun homicide rate for a city its size, averaging four per 100,000 residents, data from a report released earlier this year by the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform—in collaboration with the Austin Police Department and the Office of Violence Prevention—shows a sharp rise in shooting incidents following the 2020 pandemic.

The county first launched its gun violence prevention initiative three years ago, growing its prevention ecosystem to address this issue from multiple facets, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said, adding that it has resulted in decreasing gun violence across the county.