Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 7 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

New legal clinic concentrates on cases of women languishing in the system for crimes against alleged abusers

Annie Sweeney

March 16, 2021 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

The Women and Survivors Project provides legal representation to women imprisoned for crimes that stemmed from histories of abuse. Nearly all incarcerated women have suffered violent abuse. Many end up punished for fighting back or when their abuser forces them to participate in his crimes, but their defenses often get overlooked in court. The project so far has helped free five women by getting judges or parole officials to reconsider their cases, including one woman convicted of first-degree murder. It has dozens more cases in the pipeline.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In a career born in her own grief, violence recovery specialist works at a Chicago hospital in a city under siege

Annie Sweeney

September 16, 2020 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Since the 2018 opening of a trauma-care center near the neighborhoods most affected by Chicago's gun violence, the University of Chicago Medical Center's Violence Recovery Program has helped survivors and victims' families to address the emotional harm that can go untreated when only physical harm is treated. Part of a growing field nationwide, hospital-based violence intervention, the program's nine specialists counsel people through the immediate shock of a gun injury or death. Then they address longer-term needs for services. The goals are both humanitarian and pragmatic, to head off more violence.

Read More
Go to Original Story
City watchdog says Chicago's arrest diversion program for youth can't be evaluated due to poor record keeping and lack of collaboration

Annie Sweeney

February 25, 2020 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Over the past 14 years, the city of Chicago has been running a Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (JISC) to help divert youth away from the criminal justice system. The goal of the program, which took a $5 million investment, was to connect them with social services, favoring rehabilitation over punitive measures. But because of record destruction, lack of record keeping, and an inability by the police and Department of Family and Support Services to collaborate, a recent audit has proved unable to determine the success of the JISC.

Read More
Go to Original Story
As shootings and homicides drop in Englewood, a new optimism grows

Annie Sweeney

December 08, 2017 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, a name long synonymous with violence and gang activity, a mix of robust, data-driven policing and community engagement reversed a spike in violence from 2016 to 2017 to a degree unmatched anywhere else in the city. A $1.5 million investment in the Strategic Decision Support Center enabled Chicago Crime Lab analysts working with police at the neighborhood level to pinpoint problems and respond quickly. At the same time, police took a less antagonistic stance toward residents. That and lowered violence produced healthier activities like block parties and job fairs.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Impact of Chicago's violence on girls in toughest neighborhoods often overlooked

Annie Sweeney

December 10, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Girls in Chicago's toughest neighborhoods face extensive danger on a daily basis. Not enough is being done to help girls so that they do not engage in violence or self-harm. Programs such as the Urban Warrior Program, Demoiselle 2 Femme, and the juvenile justice system are implementing programs tailored to understand the issues for girls in this community and to then provide mentoring and education.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A tale of 3 cities: LA and NYC outpace Chicago in curbing violence

Jeremy Gorner Annie Sweeney

September 18, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Adjusting some of the strategies police adopted in New York and Los Angeles can help Chicago reduce it homicide rates which is one of the highest in the country. Some strategies which can be adopted in Chicago are to improve the relationships police have with the community and to increase police presence.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Police 'de-escalation' training — how it could help Chicago

Annie Sweeney

March 25, 2016 |

Chicago Tribune |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

As Chicago faces one of the worst policing crises in its history, it is looking at Las Vegas as a model as it prepares de-escalation training for its cops.

Read More
Go to Original Story