Creating Safe Spaces to Talk About Violence, Trauma, Coping & Recovery

Experiencing violence in the community can be traumatizing for more than those who are directly involved. Those who witnessed the incident can experience trauma, as can other members of the community in which the violent event took place. Community violence can include shootings in public places, gang-related fighting, riots and more. In the wake of such tragedies, it’s vital that community members come together to support one another and heal.

After surviving or witnessing a traumatic event, survivors will experience a range of emotions, from grief to depression to anger. While these reactions are common, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored or that survivors should be left to suffer in silence. It’s important to be able to recognize the signs of grief after community violence takes place and to learn ways to help affected individuals cope.

These resources were created with the hope that they can support the creation of safe spaces in which violence, trauma, coping and recovery can be discussed in a healthy manner. Oftentimes, the full extent of a tragedy is not felt for days, weeks, even months after the event, and it’s important to keep the channels of communication open as grief is processed. No matter the type of violence your community has experienced, we hope these resources offer a small measure of support as you come together and begin to heal.