Patient Resources

Children exposed to violence and other potentially traumatic events is a national issue. According to estimates, somewhere between 33 and 55 percent of children in the United States experience at least one adverse childhood experience, such as domestic violence or community violence.

Through decades of research, we now know that childhood exposure to violence and other traumatic events can have both short- and long-term impacts. Right after an experience of violence, you may notice changes to your child's behavior, such as how much they sleep or eat. They may also have issues with friends or family and start to do worse in school.

If these issues aren’t taken care of, there’s a chance that your child will have long-term health problems, decreased educational and job opportunities, and even early death.

However, children are very good at recovering from trauma if they get the right support.  When children get support and consistency after a traumatic event, their trauma exposure can have less impact.

Recognizing the Signs 

After going through a scary experience, children's behavior may change. Common signs seen in children who have been exposed violence include:

• Changes in play, like recreating the traumatic events or playing less often
• Worry and fearfulness
• Overreaction to loud noises or sudden movements
• Increased or constant worry about possible danger or the safety of loved ones
• Increased activity level
• Increased aggressive behavior and/or angry outbursts
• Getting very upset when they need to separate from their caregiver (separation anxiety)
• Loss of skills learned at an early age or “babyish” behavior (regression)
• Showing no feelings at all or not being bothered by anything (numbness)
• Headaches, stomachaches, or other aches/pains with no clear medical cause
• Sleep problems, such as waking up during the night, nightmares, and/or fear of falling asleep
• Loss of interest in friends, school, or other activities they used to enjoy

It can be helpful to reach out for more support if you notice these signs in your child, if any change(s) seem to be getting in the way of your child being successful at home or at school, or if any of these changes have lasted for several months.  

How to Help 

After a traumatic event, it is important to remember that there are simple things you can do to support your child. These small steps can make a big difference in their lives. Here are some of the ways that you can support a child after a difficult experience:

• Build self-esteem. Children need daily reminders that they are loveable, competent and important.
• Give your child permission to tell their stories. It helps children to be able to talk about their experiences with trusted adults.
• Give clear, simple explanations about scary events. Young children think differently than adults. They do not really understand the true causes of traumatic experiences and will often blame themselves.
• Remember that healing begins with relationships. A helpful, supportive adult is the most powerful tool that we have to help children feel safe.
• Help them know what to expect. Have rules and routines so that they can predict what will come next.
• Take care of your own physical and emotional needs. Find someone to talk to in a safe, confidential setting about your worries.
• Teach alternatives to violence. Help children learn to solve problems and play in non-violent ways.
• Don’t try it alone. Just as children are not meant to make sense of these difficult experiences by themselves, caregivers also benefit from having support available to them.
• Model nurturing behaviors. Caregivers are the most important people in a child's life. Act as a role model for your child and encourage other important caregivers to do the same.