News & Updates
Explore recent news stories, interviews, and media features highlighting the work of VPC faculty and trainees. Our initiatives and research are regularly featured in local and national media, providing insight into the critical role we play in violence prevention.
Ava Peters, a graduate research assistant at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, recently authored an op-ed in the Citizen Times advocating for the extension of voting rights to incarcerated individuals. In her article, Ava makes a compelling case for how including these populations in the democratic process can create a more equitable and representative […]
Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, appeared on a recent episode of CrimeFeed with Nancy Grace to discuss the troubling trend of violence during Black Friday shopping events. Drawing from her expertise, Dr. Alexander provided insights into the underlying causes of these incidents and strategies to promote safer shopping experiences. […]
The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology (IACFP) recently featured Dr. Rob Cramer and colleagues’ 2022 article on self-directed violence (SDV) in correctional settings, published in Psychological Services. Their work introduces a public health solution to address SDV: the Core Competency Model for Corrections (CCM for Corrections), an educational program designed for correctional mental […]
Dr. Alexander was honored to speak at the 2023 National Sexual Assault Conference hosted by ValorUS. She delivered a session titled Culturally Responsive Care as Social Justice Practice and was also featured as one of the closing plenary speakers. For key takeaways from the conference, including insights from Dr. Alexander’s plenary, read the full article […]
Dr. Rob Cramer, Associate Director of Training & Education at the VPC, recently served as a visiting scholar at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. During his visit, he delivered two colloquia—at Griffith University and the University of Melbourne—on suicide prevention training for mental health providers and […]
Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was interviewed by the Associated Press to discuss the use of solitary confinement with youth. In the article, Dr. Alexander provides critical insights into the psychological and developmental impacts of this practice and advocates for more humane approaches to juvenile detention. Read the full […]
The UNC Charlotte Division of Research has made bold new investments in innovation by awarding funding and institutional support to 14 centers and pilot centers through the Ignite Centers initiative. The UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center (VPC) is proud to be among the selected recipients, marking an exciting milestone in advancing our mission.
Dr. Rob Cramer, Associate Director of Training & Education at the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was featured in the Greensboro News & Record to discuss the critical issue of suicide prevention on college campuses. In the article, Dr. Cramer highlights the importance of mental health resources, early intervention, and campus-wide strategies to address the […]
Dr. Apryl Alexander, Director of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center, was interviewed by the Associated Press about several tragic incidents of gun violence that occurred this January. Dr. Alexander provided expert analysis on the societal and contextual factors contributing to these events and emphasized the importance of comprehensive violence prevention strategies to address this […]