When I had everything inside there was a lot of pressure on me. When I let everything out I just felt relieved.

—16-year-old girl

Children’s exposure to violence is an issue that touches everyone.

Children’s exposure to violence is an issue that touches everyone—an American tragedy that scars children and threatens the safety of communities. A great challenge lies ahead: to help move this country closer to the day when children are no longer victims of and witnesses to violence, when they are given the support they need to thrive, and when they respond to conflict nonviolently, without destroying their lives and the lives of others. Taking the steps in this Action Plan will bring significant progress in this journey.

Safe From the Start: Taking Action on Children Exposed to Violence OJJDP Summary

November 2000