Children Exposed to Violence and Gun Violence

IF YOU THINK A CHILD IS IN DANGER, CALL OR TEXT 911 IMMEDIATELY

The Children Exposed to Violence initiative within the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is the first of its kind in the nation. A trauma-informed agency that supports children from the time a violent crime is committed through the criminal justice process, this vital unit is dedicated to reducing the impacts of violence inflicted on children.

The exposure of children to violence is a national epidemic that affects an estimated 46- million children in the United States. No matter where the violence occurs, at home, school, or in the neighborhood, exposure to violence is a uniquely traumatic experience for children with consequences that can last a lifetime.

Recognizing this troublesome reality, prosecutors within the Children Exposed to Violence initiative are devoted to ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

Children Exposed to Gun Violence

When gun violence occurs in a community, children are often witnesses to the event and its aftermath. The impact of gun violence exposure is associated with learning, health, emotional and behavioral issues immediately following the event and also later in life.

Our REACH TEAM, in partnership with the renowned Children's Institute, LAPD Southeast and local nonprofit organizations, aims to ensure that children and families exposed to gun violence in LAPD's Southeast Division and parts of LAPD's 77th Division (and growing to cover all of South Los Angeles by 2022) receive appropriate and timely crisis intervention and support services.

City Attorney Mike Feuer: "Children deserve safe and secure childhoods, and when violence erupts into their lives, we have to step in and act, and that’s just what we are going to do."

Read more about the health crisis of children exposed to gun violence in City Attorney Mike Feuer's Op-Ed in the Sacramento Bee: "Mental health services vital to heal children traumatized by violence."

Common Types of Violence to Which Children are Exposed

Prenatal Exposure to Violence:

Violence experienced by the Mother is also experienced by the unborn child.
Screaming, yelling or extremely loud noises are experienced by the unborn child as distress.

Exposure to Violence in Infancy:

Assault by a sibling
Loud/Violent Arguments between parents.
Violence against the primary caregiver.
Neglect/Physical/Sexual abuse.

Exposure to Violence in Young Children (Ages 2‐5), Middle‐Age Children (Ages 6‐10):

Bullying/Assaults by peers or others with or without a weapon.
Sexual Abuse/Assault
Sexual Harassment
Witnessing Community and/or Family Violence.

Exposure to Violence in Pre‐Teens (Ages 11 to 13) and Adolescence (Ages 14 to 17):

All psychological & emotional abuse
Bullying/Assaults by Peers with or without a weapon.
Dating Violence
Gang Violence
Sexual Assault / Harassment
Unwanted Online Sexual Solicitation or Exploitation.
Witnessing Community and/or Family Violence.

What Should I do When I Know My Child Has Been Exposed to Violence or Trauma?

The first thing to consider is the safety of the child. Is the child in a safe place? If not, make sure to get the child to a safe place, if possible. Once the child is safe, it is good to talk to the child about what happened. Talking to children about violence is never easy.

Adults tend to avoid talking to children for the following reasons: