The United States is the most violent developed country in the world. Some children's exposure to violence is chronic and close to home. However, adults who are caring for traumatized children often wait for months or years before seeking help for children's symptoms, because they believe that young children cannot understand, will not remember, or will recover from the violence they have experienced or seen. They are less prepared to recognize and meet these children's needs for psychological help. A team approach is needed to assist the family. Factors that affect the child's response to a traumatic event include the intensity of the incident; the child's proximity to the event; the child's familiarity with the victim, perpetrator, or both; the child's developmental status; and the chronicity of exposure to violence. The publication Islands of Safety aims to assist parents, child care providers, teacher, police personnel, community leaders, health and social service professionals, mental health professionals, and philanthropists in improving responses to the needs of young children exposed to violence.