Qualitative Analysis of Cure Violence

• In Event: Social Movements & Crime Prevention

Abstract

Cure Violence addresses gun violence crime in communities as a public health issue and attempts to change community norms to reorient them away from violence and violent behaviors. The current study seeks to explore how outreach workers and violence interrupters – the key components of the model in terms of community engagement and responding to violent incidents in the community – interact with community residents and use their credibility to implement the Cure Violence model. Interviews were conducted with 24 Cure Violence staff in New York City to explore their perceptions of the model and their work in the community. Data indicate that credibility is determined by four aspects: 1) whether the credible messenger grew up in the programs catchment area, 2) whether they currently live there, 3) if the messenger has a history of incarceration, and 4) former affiliation with a gang, crew, or set. The relationships between the outreach workers, violence interrupters, and participants have to be strong in order to guarantee adherence to the model and effective violence interruptions. Relationships with residents in the community are another crucial component that facilitate community norm change.

Authors

• Particia Alejandra Cobar, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Douglas N Evans, Mercy College/John Jay College