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Some people think of violence as a social problem that doesn’t directly affect their
family. Others know violence as a daily, personal reality. Both groups feel
powerless to stop it.
Experts agree the best place to begin the fight against violence is within the
family. There are many practical steps a parent can take to create a less violent
family. A calm home atmosphere can make your child less likely to act violently
and less likely to be the victim of violence.
Now is the best time to begin taking steps against violence such as those listed
below.
- Create a less violent home environment. Family members who witness or
experience domestic, sexual or child abuse in the home are more likely to be
violent in the community.
- Watch for the symptoms of post-traumatic stress resulting from witnessing or
being a victim of violence. If untreated, post-traumatic stress may lead to future
violence. Symptoms include:
- Irritability or crankiness.
- Nightmares or flashbacks.
- A desire for isolation.
- Limit access to violent television and movies. View questionable programs
together and talk afterward. Express your concern through letters or calls to
news media outlets.
- Maintain a gun-free home. Suicide is seven times more likely if there is a gun
in the home. If firearms must be available, limit your child’s access.
- Limit access to alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and drug use makes it more difficult
to think clearly, changes the user’s ability to judge situations and makes it easier
for that person to react violently.
- Fight violence with healthy activity. Find ways to keep children at home or busy
in places away from violent activities.
- Discuss ways to handle violent situations:
- Talk about ways to get out as quickly as possible.
- Teach methods for calming an angry peer.
- Seek out community violence prevention programs. Learn additional prevention
tips and join in community-wide efforts. Project Ujima is an established
community project committed to helping stop the cycle of violent crimes.
Project Ujima is a collaborative effort of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the
Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin. For
more information about Project Ujima, call (414) 266-2557 or visit
www.projectujima.org.
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