Our Objectives
Break the Cycle
of Violence
Our main aim is to reduce serious violence within the community and to reintegrate offenders. To achieve this aim our objectives are to:
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Work with high risk individuals to produce a reduction in violent behaviours
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Prevent the occurrence of violence and retaliatory violence in the community
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Assist high risk offenders to rehabilitate and resettle back into the community
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Engage families and the community
Our Unique Approach
Chaos Theory is the only organisation in the UK using violence interruption to prevent the spread of violence in communities. Violence interruption is a peer-led model based on the understanding violence is a disease and if left untreated, will continue. One violent attack tends to lead to another. We recognise that in order to address the core roots of violence we must address the conflict that occurs within communities and amongst groups. To do this, you must be highly trusted and credible people. Our team are able to reach those most difficult, challenging individuals that most others would not.
Our Journey
The Charity’s journey began in Chicago in 2010, when the Founder, Ms Hothi began the process of exploring new ways to address rising levels of serious violent crime amongst communities in the UK. She has spent numerous years working with young people and communities across England and felt that a grassroots approach was seriously needed to stop an epidemic of spreading violence. Learning from what worked abroad, Ms Hothi then adapted and created and intervention model suitable for the UK, being the first project in the UK effectively reducing violence using Violence Interrupters. The Team are leading experts of 'road life' and serious violence and Ms Hothi has become a highly credible BME Community Leader.
In 2012 the Violence Interruption model and strategy was rolled out in Waltham Forest. Now fully operational across the entire borough, the team has demonstrated impact, change and resilience across communities and people affected by violence.
Prior to the project being rolled out fully, Ms Hothi and the VI's spent time developing relationships in Birmingham and Manchester gaining the support of BME communities across the Country with the joined mission of standing up to serious violence.
Our Trustees
Chaos Theory is fortunate enough to have an amazing board of trustees from various backgrounds and vast experience;
Chair of Board: H.H. David Radford
After graduating in Law at Selwyn College, Cambridge, His Honour David Radford was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1969. He was appointed as an Assistant Recorder in 1988, a Recorder in 1993, a Circuit Judge in 1996, a Senior Circuit Judge and Resident Judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2002 and an Honorary Recorder of Redbridge in 2009. He retired as a full-time Judge in 2017 but has since been appointed to sit from time to time as a Deputy Circuit Judge. H.H. Radford is an active Chair and regularly visits the offices of CT and meets with Pam and staff. He has a wealth of knowledge relating to criminal justice and the surrounding community.
Ms Abigail Bright
With a strong academic background, Abigail’s practice is diverse. Whilst reading for the Bar, Abigail taught criminal law at UCL as an honorary faculty teaching fellow and worked as an honorary research fellow at UCL and the University of Oxford. In 2010, Abigail was examined by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries for the Dip.FMS, diploma in forensic medical sciences, at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Abigail is a Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. Abigail was passionate about joining the Board due to the high levels of young men were involved in such violence and murders. Abigail wanted to be part of a group that works with these young men and communities to reduce violence and provide effective support and resettlement for prisoners.
Dr Gillian Mezey
Gillian Mezey is a Professor of Forensic Psychiatry. Gill has a research history focusing on psychological trauma as it affects victims of crime and violence, and on the impact of social exclusion and stigma in the recovery of individuals with severe mental illness. Her early research was on the psychological effects of sexual and physical violence and abuse, and in particular on ways of improving the ability of health professionals to identify, intervene and respond effectively to such violence. Her subsequent research and experience was with individuals or groups who find themselves marginalised or excluded from society. These included victims of crime, female mentally disordered offenders, looked after children and young people and sexual offenders.
Mr Mark Parsons
Mark is a retired Headteacher, having served in South London schools with diverse intakes for 40 years. He is still in touch with pupils from his first school in Brixton who are now in their fifties and give an interesting perspective as black people having lived their lives in South London since the 1970’s. Mark is still heavily involved in his local community in Brixton, where he was born and has lived nearly all his life. He was the Headteacher of Oliver Goldsmith for the last 15 years of his career and early on in this post he, along with the Peckham community and the Taylor family, suffered the loss of Damilola Taylor, who was a Year 6 pupil at the school when he was killed. This led to him being invited to join a multi-disciplinary group known as HomRag, which investigated all aspects of homicide and pressed for reform in the sentence of murder automatically leading to a mandatory life sentence. Mark served on HomRag for 6 years alongside eminent clergymen, judges, barristers, journalists and senior members of the probation and prison services. He is committed to help in finding ways of reducing violence among young people.
