CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
Behavior is the language of trauma.
Children will show you before they tell you that they are in distress.
– Micere Keels
> 60%
> 60%
More than 60% of youth age 17 and younger have been exposed to crime, violence and abuse either directly or indirectly
> 10%
> 10%
More than 10% of youth age 17 and younger reported five or more exposures to violence.
~ 10%
~ 10%
About 10% of children suffered from child maltreatment, were injured in an assault, or witnessed a family member assault another family member
~25%
~25%
About 25% of youth age 17 and younger were victims of robbery or witnessed a violent act
50%
50%
Nearly half of children and adolescents were assaulted at least once in the past year
Among 536 elementary and middle school children surveyed in an inner city community, 30% had witnessed a stabbing and 26% had witnessed a shooting. (5)
Young children exposed to five or more significant adverse experiences in the first three years of childhood face a 76% likelihood of having one or more delays in their language, emotional or brain development. (6)
As the number of traumatic events experienced during childhood increases, the risk for the following health problems in adulthood increases: depression; alcoholism; drug abuse; suicide attempts; heart and liver diseases; pregnancy problems; high stress; uncontrollable anger; and family, financial, and job problems. (6)
People who have experienced trauma are:
15 times more likely to attempt suicide
4 times more likely to become an alcoholic
4 times more likely to develop a sexually transmitted disease
4 times more likely to inject drugs
3 times more likely to use antidepressant medication
3 times more likely to be absent from work
3 times more likely to experience depression
3 times more likely to have serious job problems
2.5 times more likely to smoke
2 times more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2 times more likely to have a serious financial problem
> Sabrina
> John
> Dan
> Nora
> Barbara
