Violence is highly prevalent. It is the single most experienced trauma for young people in Northern Ireland, and young men are at elevated risk of victimisation and perpetration. Socially and culturally, young men are often predisposed to a limited code of behaviour that endorses violence and neutralises the harms caused to victims.

They are at elevated risk of perpetrating violence against others, and this can take many forms. Central to the most effective models is an intentional focus on masculinity in what is broadly defined as gender conscious or ‘gender transformative’ approaches. Most gender transformative models have been applied in schools rather than in community settings. This poses several challenges. 

Youth workers are uniquely positioned in the community to create a safe space for young me to engage in sensitive issues and themes such as masculinity and violence. Further, youth work approaches can help young men connect to the wider communities to engage in pro-social activities and practice non-violent skills.

In 2021, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) partnered with the Education Authority of Northern Ireland (EANI) to examine the research and practice-based evidence around engaging and supporting young men across the themes of masculinity and violence. The strategic aim of the project was to increase the capacity of youth services to embed research into service design by combining cutting-edge empirical and theoretical evidence alongside practical approaches.  Together, a framework called Y-Box was co-produced and then tested. Findings suggest changes in attitude as well as behaviour.

The Y-Box is an empirically supported framework for reducing violence among young men. The target group are young men aged 12-21. The participants engage in the framework on a voluntary basis in line with youth work principles and the model is intended to be delivered in the community by qualified youth workers/practitioners.