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Urban Youth Trauma Center

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Understanding Community Violence

Over the past decade in America, over 300,000 people have been killed
as a result of gun violence—and millions more have been the victim of assaults,
robberies, and other crimes involving a gun.

Growing up in the midst of community violence can impact youths’ social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive development. It can disrupt their baseline of safety, making it more difficult for entire families and communities to sustain a sense of stability. For those who live in or near places where violence is very common, the daily risks can take a toll on physical and emotional health. And the lingering psychological impacts left on children, with ongoing exposure to violence and trauma, are immeasurable.

Violence holds victims, families, friends and entire neighborhoods hostage, causing paralyzing fear and trauma that is ongoing. Community violence is everyone’s business because not a single person in a community is left unaffected by the deleterious effects that violence leaves behind.

Community violence can be reduced and prevented.  We can all take action to improve the lives of those who have survived violence. There are many factors that contribute to violence, ranging from individual, relationship, community, and societal.  Solutions must address these factors.

UYTC Public Awareness

Source: David-Ferdon C, Simon TR. Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014.

Click here  to learn more about solutions that address these factors.