“You Never Know Who’s Gonna Be Next”: The Role of Community Violence Intervention Workers in Responding to Homicides and Survivor Support

• In Event: Between a Bullet and a Safe Place: Examinations of Community Violence Intervention Workers

Abstract

EEstablishing safety and preventing further victimization are crucial for those affected by homicide in marginalized Black and Latinx urban neighborhoods, where violence often stems from revenge or retaliation. This vulnerability, compounded by inadequate law enforcement protection, exacerbates the trauma experienced by these communities. Throughout the country, Community Violence Intervention (CVI) workers, recognized as "homegrown peacemakers", lead community-based efforts to both prevent and intervene violence. Through 35 qualitative interviews with CVI workers and supervisors in Chicago, this study investigates their strategies in responding to homicides and seeks to understand how persistently responding to violent death in their community impacts their wellbeing. Thematic analysis yielded several key insights related to 1) Response Strategies: The approaches CVI workers utilize when responding to homicides 2) Safety Preservation: How CVI workers reflect on safety while supporting survivors and prevent retaliatory violence, and 3) Unseen Wounds: Noting the profound emotional and psychological impact experienced by CVI workers in the aftermath of homicides. The study concludes with recommendations related to supporting civilian-led, community-centric efforts to prevent retaliatory violence, as well as how to support CVI workers and other frontline staff assisting community members impacted by violent death.

Authors

• Kathryn Bocanegra, University of Illinois Chicago

• Nathan Aguilar, Columbia University