Institute for Nonviolence Hosts Streetwalkers Conference
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence yesterday held the first-ever regional conference of streetwalkers—full-time professionals who work with youth to prevent violence, and deal with its aftermath when it happens.
The conference drew about 50 to 60 streetwalkers from about ten southern New England cities, including Lowell, Hartford, and Fall River, according to Teny Gross, executive director of the institute.
Gross said one of the main benefits of the conference was just the opportunity for participants to simply share their experiences in what is a stress-ridden profession. “You sometimes feel that the odds are against you … the needs are too great,” Gross said. Providence and Central Falls have 15 streetwalkers, but other cities have just a handful. “You’re not part of a department of 500 cops,” he added. “It does very often burn out streetwalkers. Eventually, some of them succumb.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe conference also helped to build a sense of professional camaraderie among New England streetwalkers, he said. “This is a profession. Doctors meet annually. Cops meet annually. We need to start meeting regularly,” Gross said.
Gross said the conference ended with a series of national goals, which he said the Institute for Nonviolence hopes to promote among similar organizations around the country. Those goals include: cutting the murder rate in half over the next decade, having a streetwalker program in every American city, and utilizing ex-offenders who can be effective in reaching kids.
“We look at the institute as a laboratory for violence reduction,” Gross said.
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