Community-Based Violence Intervention in the Aftermath of Homicide: Community Violence Prevention Specialists’ Proximity to and Perspectives on Community Safety and Healing

Abstract

Communities impacted by homicide endure profound loss and trauma, yet the voices of those intimately acquainted with navigating its aftermath are often overlooked and undervalued. In this study, we center the perspectives of community violence prevention specialists (CVPS) to understand the role of community-based violence intervention (CVI) in the aftermath of homicide and identify essential needs for fostering holistic and sustainable safety and healing following homicide. Qualitative data collected from in-person, semi-structured focus groups and interviews between March 2022 and April 2023 with 45 CVPS in Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Sacramento were coded and thematically analyzed. We identified various intersecting ways in which CVPS have unique proximity to and perspective on homicide via personal histories and community relationships, crisis response, preventative peacemaking and community healing, understanding violence drivers, CVI implementation challenges, and policy advocacy. Their perspectives reveal nuanced insights into the dynamics of homicide and its prevention. CVI plays a critical role in the aftermath of homicide, and CVPS have invaluable expertise navigating its multi-tiered dynamics, positioning them as strategic responders to homicide and as experts in identifying community needs and solutions specific to violence recovery. Their voices, work, and wellbeing deserve investment and close attention.