| Unfortunately, violence is part of the history of | | | | and reduce the emotional impact of trauma of |
| humankind. War, genocide, and terrorism have left | | | | violence. |
| their mark worldwide. There is not a country immune | | | | The time for a working partnership between |
| to acts of violence, large and small. We are plagued | | | | individuals and their communities is now, and gathering |
| with media descriptions of horrific acts amongst | | | | reliable information is paramount to this endeavor. |
| nations and peoples. When we turn to our own | | | | Consulting experts and reading books and |
| communities, we see domestic violence, school | | | | newsletters written by professionals who have |
| shootings, child abuse, and gang violence. Statistics | | | | thoroughly researched abuse and violence is a sure |
| show that violence is on the rise and we need to | | | | way to gain both a "big picture" understanding of the |
| begin to understand why and, moreover, what we | | | | problem, as well as to find real-world solutions. For |
| can do to prevent violent outbreaks in our | | | | example, families and community leaders should be |
| communities. Believing violence will not enter our own | | | | able to recognize the warning signs of a violent |
| backyard is not the proactive way to think. Educating | | | | personality, the impact that addiction and alcoholism |
| ourselves and asking the difficult questions are ways | | | | have on children, and even why kids become bullies. |
| to begin understanding how we, as a nation and as | | | | Information to Seek |
| individuals, can help fight the battle against violence. | | | | Look for information from researchers who |
| Gang and Domestic Violence | | | | understand and can identify the key childhood and |
| Gang violence has taken over some communities and | | | | family risk factors that cause young people to grow |
| is quickly infiltrating others. Gangs draw young people | | | | up into violent adults. Topics can cover a broad range |
| from all walks of life, regardless of socio-economic | | | | of information, from how to keep kids from joining |
| background, race, or ethnic group. Similarly, domestic | | | | gangs to guidance in helping families with difficult |
| violence is widespread and knows no boundaries. Not | | | | needs. They might even include stress management |
| only does domestic violence affect the victim, but | | | | and relaxation techniques that can help those at risk |
| the entire family can be traumatized as well. | | | | solve their problems, change their behavior, and |
| Working Together | | | | channel their emotions to a constructive use. |
| Educators, social workers, counselors, healthcare | | | | The research has been done. Books on the "tough" |
| professionals, law enforcement officers, and parents | | | | subjects are out there, can easily be read and are |
| must work together to help identify children who are | | | | even more easily shared. Whether it's a counselor |
| at risk. Studies have shown that the child who was | | | | recommending a book to a victim of domestic |
| once the victim can easily cross over into the adult | | | | violence or a parent sharing a book with a teen on |
| who victimizes. Breaking the cycle of abuse is | | | | gang violence, the information is invaluable. Learning, |
| paramount, as is healing the psychological wounds | | | | understanding, and prevention are the keys to |
| inflicted upon innocent children. The social and | | | | winning this battle against violence. Start your reading |
| personal impact of abuse runs deep. Identification, | | | | today. |
| intervention, and treatment can help build coping skills | | | | |