Violence Intervention Advocacy Program (VIAP)

The Violence Intervention Advocacy Program (VIAP), as part of the HAVEN team and based in the Mass General Emergency Department, helps victims of violence recover from the physical and emotional trauma by providing them with skills, services and opportunities so they can be empowered to make positive changes in their lives and contribute to building safer and healthier communities.

VIAP helps to reduce risk factors for violence and increase protective factors by utilizing engagement, motivations, advocacy and supportive techniques.

We recognize that acts of community violence are traumatic events that affect both individuals and the overall community. Violent injuries have serious health consequences, including PTSD, and substance abuse. Mass General presents an opportunity for intervention to help aid in the recovery process and reduce recidivism.

VIAP is an active member of the National Network of Hospital based Violence Intervention Programs (NNHVIP) and maintains strong working partnerships with other Boston hospital-based violence prevention/intervention programs. To best support and serve clients, VIAP collaborates with community organizations including courts, district attorney’s offices, housing, immigration, legal services and other assistance programs.