Description

Children may be exposed to violence in many ways: in the media, in their own homes, or in their neighborhoods. This website provides information and resources for parents and caregivers, neighbors, or professionals who would like to help children who have been exposed to real-life violence.

Media Violence is the most common source of exposure to violence for the majority of children in this country. It includes violence in television programs, movies, video or computer games. Approximately 99% of the households in the United States have at least one television; 66% have more than one set. This translates into the fact that the average child witnesses 12,000 acts of violence on television each year.

Domestic Violence (violence between adult partners in the home) touches the lives of many families. Twenty percent of adult women have experienced abuse at least once by a male partner. Millions ofchildren will witness domestic violence between adults in the home. Nearly half the men who abuse their female partners will also abuse their children. Domestic violence is an "equal opportunity phenomenon," occurring in rural and urban areas, with lessregard to class, cultural background, or sexual orientation.

Community Violence is a particular threat for families who live in areas where there is a high concentration of community residents who have few economic, psychological, or personal resources. While there is random violence in all areas of society, community violence occurs more often in urban areas. A study of elementary school children in New Orleans found that over 90% of the children had witnessed violence; over half had been the victims of some form of violence; 40% had seen a dead body. In Los Angeles, it is estimated that children witness 10 to 20% of all homicides. Interviews with parents of children age six and under at Boston Medical Center (formerly Boston City Hospital) found that 1 in 10 children had witnessed a knifing or shooting by the age of six.