Tips & Tools
Children and Trauma
Children are not miniature adults, and they deserve special consideration when they end up in the news. Yet few journalists have experience interviewing children for routine stories, let alone when tragedy hits. This page brings together wisdom, examples and interdisciplinary resources to aid and inform those concerned with how children involved in traumatic events are covered in the media.
Dart Resources
The City Government Perspective
In this video from the 2011 Dart Center workshop "Getting it Right: Reporting on Youth Violence," Everett Gillison, deputy mayor for public safety of the city of Philadelphia discusses how to reduce youth violence.
The Gun Factor: Tracking, Access and Investigation
In this video from the 2011 Dart Center workshop "Getting it Right: Reporting on Youth Violence," investigative reporter James Grimaldi talks about reporting on guns.
Interrupting Violence in Chicago and Philadelphia
In this video from the 2011 Dart Center workshop "Getting it Right: Reporting on Youth Violence," experienced violence interrupters talk about their experiences.
Visual Storytelling on Youth Violence
In this video from the 2011 Dart Center workshop "Getting it Right: Reporting on Youth Violence," experience photographers talk about their different approaches.
No Estamos Solos: We Are Not Alone
In this video from the 2011 Dart Center workshop "Getting it Right: Reporting on Youth Violence," Stephen Franklin, ethnic news director of the Community Media Workshop, discusses covering youth violence in ethnic communities in Chicago.
Outside Resources
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Child Sexual Abuse
National Center for PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet. It details the effects of sexual abuse on children, and adults exposed to sexual abuse as children.
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The Effects of Community Violence on Children and Adolescents
National Center for PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet. A summary of the specific effects of community violence on children and adolescents.
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Terrorist Attacks and Children
National Center for PTSD
A summary of research involving children's responses to terrorism and strategies for helping them recover.
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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Educational Materials [PDF]
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The NCTSN has published recommendations for journalists who cover childhood trauma.
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Helping Children Cope with Tragedy
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
An example of a sidebar with information about the possible effects of trauma on children.
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Covering Domestic Violence
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
A guide for journalists and other media professionals.
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Covering Tragedy
ABC Radio
2007 Ochberg Fellow Lisa Millar talks about trauma journalism on the National Media Report.
All Tips & Tools
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Tragedies & Journalists
A 40-page guide to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.
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Covering Children & Trauma
When children are victims of violence, journalists have a responsibility to report the truth with compassion and sensitivity.