The 27th IVAT (Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma) Summit in San Diego this week addresses several topics related to the scourge of gun violence in our society. On Sunday, August 28, SAFE participated in Taming an Escalating, Out-of-Control Epidemic: Gun Violence Prevention as a Public Health Priority. Topics covered ranged from the escalation in interpersonal violence and firearm purchases during the Covid pandemic and the alarming rise in mass shootings to advances in medical training and suicide prevention. Progress on recent legislation dedicating much-needed resources to gun violence research was highlighted as well.
Pictured, left to right, Dr. Michael Levittan, moderator; Nicole Finney, UC Irvine School of Medicine, SAFE Chapter UCI and HEAL-IM Scholar; Arvis Jones, MT, MA, Grief and Loss Specialist, Linda Cavazos, Survivor Lead - Moms Demand Action Nevada and John McKenna, Executive Director SAFE.
John McKenna with Nicole Finney and Jessica Sea, SAFE medical students, UCI Chapter.
Dr. Michael Levittan, IVAT Global Peace and Gun Violence Prevention Advisor with John McKenna