Abstract text: Group Violence Intervention (GVI) and other focused deterrence strategies do not inherently have age restrictions, as targeting is based on group affiliation rather than age. However, the age of the recipients may, both practically and theoretically, call for adaptations, particularly as youth involvement in serious and lethal violence has increased in Sweden.

This presentation will explore how and when GVI’s core components are delivered to youth 30 (under 18) and how this differs from delivery to adults. Addressing youth requires adherence to distinct legal frameworks (e.g., The Care of Young Persons Act [LVU]) and often necessitates the involvement of different units, personnel, supportive services and parent/caregiver participation. Preliminary findings suggest that communicating the focused deterrence message to youth and their families enhances parental understanding of the shared concerns of police and social services, potentially increasing their motivation to engage in supportive services.

Adapting GVI to a younger demographic also raises theoretical questions. Focused deterrence relies on balancing incentives and disincentives (“carrots and sticks”) to reduce violence. If supportive services are provided regardless of whether they are voluntary or involuntary (LVU), what incentives exist for youth to desist? Furthermore, if the message emphasizes individual disengagement from criminal groups rather than combining this with the prospect of collective consequences for continued violence, what mechanisms are expected to influence their future behavior? Drawing on thematic analysis of interviews with key personnel and documented activities across multiple cities, this presentation explores how GVI has been adapted in response to rising youth involvement in serious violence and discusses implications for research and practice.