Making Good as a Credible Messenger: Social Roles and Identity Transformation within CVI

• In Event: From Theory to Action: Advancing Research and Practice in Community Violence Intervention (CVI)

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a qualitative study to examine the transformative journey of individuals as they left their former selves as street-focused individuals and desisted from crime. Recent scholarship, particularly over the last two decades, has shifted the desistance discourse beyond mere "turning points" in criminal behavior to explore the role of identity transformation within varied socio-ecological and community contexts. These environments can either support or hinder the desistance process. Here we use relational theory as a framework to examine how the role of Cure Violence Outreach Worker fits into and helps transform lives into law-abiding citizens. Through narrative interviews and focus groups with Cure Violence (CV) outreach workers, this study aims to understand how community contexts, formal roles, and social relationships facilitate the formation of new, pro-social identities, and how these individuals perceive their cognitive transformations. Results highlight themes related to accountability, empathy, community and making good. Implications for the future of community violence intervention work will be discussed.

Authors

• Caterina Roman, Temple University

• Peter Simonsson, Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine

• Shadd Maruna, Queen's University Belfast

• Jesse Brey, Temple University