Community violence: its impact on the development of children and implications for nursing practice

An alarming increase in the prevalence of violent crime in the United States has lead to the birth of a new subset of victims, children who witness acts of violence. Results of multiple studies suggest that chronic exposure to violence has a profound negative impact on children's cognitive, social, psychologic, and moral development. As primary care providers, pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners are well-positioned to assess these children for early signs of exposure to violence, offer guidance and counseling, and make referrals for proper treatment.