Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism.
“Healing for Vegas,” The Marshall Project
EJUSA Executive Director Shari Silberstein reminds us that the survivors of the unthinkable violence in Las Vegas will have extensive and varying needs in order to recover from their trauma. “If we’re serious about supporting the survivors of Vegas, we would make sure every one of them has ongoing access to trauma and mental health services. We would ensure that those services were culturally appropriate and geographically accessible. We would support their financial and logistical needs while they rebuild their lives. We would respect their need for information, the desire some have for privacy and others for interaction. We would recognize there is no timeline for healing, or support.”
“Trauma is real for Newark residents and police,” The Star-Ledger
Since 2016, EJUSA has trained nearly 200 NJ residents in our Police/Community Initiative on Trauma-Informed Responses to Violence trainings in Newark. The trainings encourage honest, open dialogue about race, policing, and community engagement from various perspectives. This story highlights the powerful storytelling and the moments of mutual understanding that have become hallmarks of our program: “Both sides understood each other’s plight on Tuesday as they took the first step toward bridging a chasm that has widened from years of mistrust.”
“Newark victims of violence find love and healing,” The Star-Ledger
Also in Newark, crime survivors came together for a rally to plead for help and to show support for ALL victims of violence. This includes those who have not always been seen as “sympathetic enough” by the media or even by the law. EJUSA’s Fatimah Loren Muhammad hosted a panel on trauma and healing.
“Big Drops in Gun Crime Reported in NYC Neighborhoods Where ‘Violence Interrupters’ Patrol,” The Trace
A new study provides more evidence that the public health “interrupter” approach to violence, championed by Cure Violence, creates safer and healthier communities. The study examined two communities, both with deployed violence interrupters, and found reductions across all measures of violence.
“Group Therapy Is Saving Lives in Chicago,” Politico
Chicago Public Schools is finding success with two trauma-informed programs that help young men and women work through trauma. The positive results have included a significant reduction in violence and an increase in graduation rates.
“Making Sense of Senseless Violence,” The Marshall Project
As a society, we often view violence as an isolated event, rather than one incident in a cycle that began with underlying trauma. In this short essay, a Harvard sociologist discusses what he’s learned about the cycle of violence after interviewing people leaving prison, finding that almost all who have committed violence were once victims themselves.
Resolution Passes Making Gun Violence a Health Crisis,” The Philadelphia Tribune
Led by a movement of crime survivors, Philadelphia has adopted a resolution recognizing violence is a public health crisis: Shiela Ward, with Mothers In Charge, felt emboldened by the resolution: “’We’ve been fighting for this for a while now,’ Ward said. ‘Now that it’s here, it lets us know our work is not in vain.’”