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Terrorism and Violence

Families and children may be profoundly affected by mass violence, acts of terrorism, or community trauma in the form of shootings, bombings, or other types of attacks. The impact will vary depending on the nature of the event and on the experiences of children and families during and afterwards. Some adults and children may have been physically injured and will require medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation. Some may worry about the safety of family members and friends or need to adjust to the death of a loved one. Children and teens may react differently depending on their age and prior experiences. How long it takes to recover will depend on what happened to each individual child and family. Over time, many will return to normal routines, while others may struggle. It is important to be supportive and understanding of different reactions.