In many cases, children can't simply forget the violence they witness, whether it is a daily part of life or a single traumatic event. At the same time, children aren't adept at expressing their inner torment and are rarely aware themselves of the connection between violence and their behavior. It is up to parents, police, clinicians and any concerned community member to break the cycle that can desensitize the innocent and perpetuate the violence. No longer an urban phenomenon, an increasing number of youth nationwide both commit violent crimes and are the victims of crime.
Violence becomes a cycle, a learned behavior.
As our nation becomes more violent, statistics indicate that juvenile victimization grows proportionately. So not only are many of our youth caught in the vicious cycle of witnessing criminal activity, then committing crime, many are also in danger of losing their lives. It s a problem that has never before been so dramatic. Despite higher crime rates and major community safety concerns, the truth is that home remains the most dangerous place for a child. And when children witness domestic violence against a parent, it almost always takes a toll on their physical and emotional well-being.