Aug 2023

Brookings Institution Commentary: Making the invisible epidemic visible

Jens Ludwig

New approaches can help connect domestic violence survivors to services.

Using new data from a large urban trauma center in Chicago, we document substantial under-reporting of domestic violence at the time of receiving medical care. Our analysis suggests that many women who receive treatment for their injuries in the emergency room (ER) do not disclose domestic violence victimization to medical personnel but do report to law enforcement within several days. This points to a missed opportunity to offer services and protection to domestic violence survivors earlier and in a more appropriate setting.

Latest Updates

The best way to cut gun violence, and it’s almost free
Op-Ed
Crain's Chicago Business
Jul 2025

The best way to cut gun violence, and it’s almost free

In an op-ed for Crain’s Chicago Business, Crime Lab Pritzker Director Jens Ludwig highlights the importance of using data-informed practices to improve public safety and shares key insights from behavioral economics that provide a playbook for addressing gun violence that is both effective and low-cost.

Research on cognitive behavioral therapy for at-risk youth
Podcast
Probable Causation
Jul 2025

Research on cognitive behavioral therapy for at-risk youth

Dr. Nour Abdul-Razzak joins host Jennifer Doleac on the Probable Causation podcast to discuss the Choose to Change program—an intervention that integrates trauma-informed therapy with comprehensive support to reduce youth violence and improve educational outcomes.

Deaths of decision-making are killing American teens. Schools can fix it.
Op-Ed
Brookings
Jul 2025

Deaths of decision-making are killing American teens. Schools can fix it.

Crime Lab executive director Katie Hill pens an op-ed for Brookings about how cognitive behavioral programs can teach teens decision-making skills that can dramatically reduce violence and save lives – often at little or no additional cost.