Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Children Present or Witnessing Violent Deaths and Suicides
Marissa L Zwald1, Kaitlin Forsberg1, Elizabeth Swedo1
1National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
JAMA Pediatrics
|May 11, 2026
Summary
Nearly 1 in 10 children witnessed violent deaths or suicides in the US. These events often occurred in homes, involved firearms, and were linked to intimate partner violence or problems, highlighting prevention needs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Criminology
Background:
- Childhood exposure to violence and family suicide deaths are known risks.
- Limited data exist on the frequency and characteristics of violent deaths and suicides witnessed by children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize violent deaths and suicides where children were present or witnessed the event.
- To analyze the circumstances surrounding these traumatic events involving children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data from 2019-2023.
- Examined violent deaths and suicides with documented child presence or witnessing.
- Analyzed decedent and incident characteristics, including manner of death, demographics, and preceding factors.
Main Results:
- 19,171 deaths (9.7%) involved children as witnesses or present.
- Homicides (16.4%), suicides (6.9%), unintentional firearm deaths (38.0%), legal interventions (11.1%), and undetermined intent (8.5%) were observed.
- Most events involved firearms, occurred in homes, and were preceded by intimate partner violence or problems.
Conclusions:
- Children witness a significant proportion of violent deaths and suicides in the US.
- Findings underscore the need for comprehensive prevention strategies to reduce child exposure to violence and trauma.
- Emphasizes the importance of postvention support for young survivors of these events.
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