Could listening sessions help end gun violence in Durham?

Their plan: Hosting listening sessions that center the experience of gun violence survivors.

There have been more than 300 shootings in the City of Durham this year.

"We now are a city of hurt people. I think this proposal is simple but really a profound start to creating a city of healed people," said Marcia Owen, co-chair for the City's Community Safety and Wellness Task Force.

She says the money would go towards hiring facilitators – and paying the survivors for their time, too.

According to the Task Force's proposal, Duke Hospital has seen a 52% increase in gunshot victims in the past two years. This fiscal year so far, Duke Hospital has treated 393 gunshot wound patients, the proposal says.

Duke doctor Henry Rice spoke in support of the plan.

"You all probably remember a few months ago six children were shot in one night in Durham," said Rice. "I was caring for the surviving children, and I was almost struck by how routine these events have become in our community."

Rice added, "Frankly I’m getting sick of taking bullets out of children. I don’t want to do it anymore."

Councilman Leo Williams says the Council will take some time to more closely review the proposal, pointing out they are in the middle of approving next year's budget.

"Violence is one of our number one problems, obviously," said Williams. "We know that this is going to be a great program, great initiative. It’s part of a suite of options to better understand what’s happening in our community regarding public safety."

Duke University has already committed about 35,000 to support this pilot program.