Combat Abuse With Bonding, Expert Says : Social work: Youth violence can be reduced if groups mimic what gangs do best, leading authority tells conference attendees.

A leading authority on child abuse prevention said Wednesday that gangs, youth violence and teen pregnancy can be reduced if community groups mimic what gangs do so successfully: Offer bonding and encouragement.

Speaking at a conference organized by the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Orange County, Prof. David J. Hawkins of the University of Washington said, “If you want to prevent these problems before they happened, you must identify the factors,” emphasizing the need for incentives and recognition for performance. “Gangs understand this model very well.”

The conference, which continues today at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel, focuses on youth problems such as molestation, violence, drug abuse and teen pregnancy. It was attended Wednesday by about 600 social workers, nurses, psychologists and other professionals working with children and youths.

“Orange County has professionals with a lot to share, and we needed a forum for that,” said Glennda Mourer, director of the Orange County campus of the USC School of Social Work. Mourer founded the conference in 1989.

“The mission is to provide the highest quality training at the lowest possible cost,” she said.

Janis Webb, program manager of the Children’s Home Society in Santa Ana, has attended the conference three times.

“It’s excellent--on the cutting edge of issues. Other conferences often discuss safe issues or issues you’ve discussed before, but this--the issues are really put out there.”