Community
violence includes many events. It might be a stranger using physical
threat or direct violence to take something or hurt someone. It can
also be violence between family members, close partners, or peers.
These events may include cruel acts such as being shot, raped,
stabbed, or beaten.
Most
of the attention from media and research is on community violence
that involves adults. However, many children and teens face violence
in their neighborhoods and schools. Such violence can have effects on
children.
How
much community violence do children face?
Many
people think that community violence only happens in gangs and inner
cities. It is true that people who are poor, non-White, and living in
crowded inner-city areas deal with a lot of violence. Community
violence also occurs, though, in White, middle-class areas, both
suburban and rural. All kinds of youth are at risk for community
violence.
Over
one-third of girls and boys across the country ages 10 to 16 years
are victims of direct violence. Direct violence includes attempted
kidnapping, physical and sexual assault. Even more children have
faced indirect community violence. That is, they have seen violence
or they know a victim of community violence. In one study, over
three-quarters of children in a high-violence urban area reported
coming into contact with community violence. Of note, more than half
of the parents said that their children had not been exposed to
violence in the community.
Who
is at risk?
Sadly,
there is no way to make sure your child does not face community
violence. However, we do know some of the factors that add to a
child's risk for coming into contact with community violence:
*
living in poor, inner-city areas
*
being non-White
*
being in a gang or using alcohol or drugs
*
living in a home with domestic (family) violence
*
males see more community violence than do females and are at more
risk for physical attacks
*
females are at more risk for sexual assault
What
are the effects of community violence?
If
hurt by violence, a child may have to cope with physical or medical
problems. A child may also have mental health problems, including
PTSD. Some people think that young children are not harmed by
community violence because they are too young to understand or
remember. However, studies have found signs of PTSD in babies and
young children. For more information on PTSD in children, please see
our fact sheet PTSD and Trauma in Children and Teens.
A
child's exposure to community violence affects the whole family.
Parents are often very worried about their child's health and
well-being. If resources and help are limited, parents can become
angry. As a parent, you might blame yourself for not being able to
keep your child safe. You may even become too protective. Parents
sometimes use harsh discipline when the child acts out, even though
the child's behavior is related to a trauma. Relations among family
members can become strained. Parents are trying to comfort their
child while at the same time trying to handle their own fears. This
is hard, even more so if they live in an area where violence is
common.
What
can we do?
Children
can be helped. The best thing for a child is a caring adult. If a
child is touched by violence, spend time with the child. Be sure the
child understands that you are there to listen. Help the child talk
about the trauma, but do not make him or her talk. Answer questions
honestly using words that your child understands. Try to understand
that children may have new problem behaviors as a result of the
trauma. These behaviors need your patience and understanding. Ask for
help from friends, family, and medical and mental health experts for
you and your child. For more information on treatment for children
with PTSD, see our fact sheet PTSD and Trauma in Children and Teens.
Prevention
programs are also important to keep community violence from
happening. This involves gang prevention. Also, programs can help
children and teens at risk for violence learn how to peacefully solve
problems. These programs work better if they happen before age 6
years. They are also better if they are taught in the children's
homes and schools. Programs should also try to prevent high-risk
behaviors such as alcohol and drug use and carrying weapons.
Sources
Foy,
D.W. & Goguen, C.A. (1998). Community violence-related PTSD in
children and adolescents. PTSD Research Quarterly, 9(4), 1-6.
Sanders-Phillips,
K. (1997). Assaultive violence in the community: Psychological
responses of adolescent victims and their parents. Journal of
Adolescent Health, 21, 356-365.
Scheeringa,
M.S. & Zeanah, C.H. (1995). Symptom expression and trauma
variables in children under 48 months of age. Infant Mental Health
Journal, 16, 259-270.
