Data Center

CALL TO ACTION GOAL 1: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION

This Call to Action goal to prevent interpersonal violence aligns with a public health approach. To support this, we are building a data gathering and evaluation Infrastructure.

It will take dedicated efforts to build out tools to inform interventions and track our progress. Data tools will support us as we work together to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors to prevent interpersonal violence.

This interactive dashboard provides data about domestic violence related calls to law enforcement assistance in Contra Costa County.

CRITICAL REFLECTION: DATA EQUITY AND DECOLONIZATION

As we share data, we want to also highlight implications of data gathering and analysis on communities that have been historically under-invested in and marginalized.

• Power imbalances and inequalities can be perpetuated by data ecosystems.

• Data can continue to marginalize certain communities, reinforcing existing disparities in access to data, representation, and influence over the proper distribution of resources according to the data gathered.

• Data often under-represents the experience of communities less likely to access services due to historical and current systemic racism.

The concept of data equity is closely intertwined with the prevention of interpersonal violence. It brings attention to the power dynamics and inequities that contribute to violence within communities. It is critical to promote a more inclusive and just data landscape in creating more equitable systems and structures.

For instance, biased data gathering from certain sectors such as law enforcement may reinforce stereotypes or discriminatory practices, impacting the accuracy of risk assessments and interventions.

Understanding and addressing these data-related disparities is crucial for developing effective approaches to intervention that are more nuanced and culturally sensitive. Integrating the principles of data equity into interpersonal violence prevention efforts contributes to a more holistic and equitable approach, acknowledging and at the same time dismantling systemic barriers that can perpetuate and hold violence in place.

Principles of data equity:

• Include communities in data governance.

• Ensure data collection and analysis accurately reflect the diverse experiences of different communities.

• Promote transparency and accountability.

• Foster trust between communities and those working towards creating safer environments.

As we pay attention to these implications, we will continue to advocate for multiple forms of data from expanded sources to open doors for understanding a larger reality.