Archive of Defending Childhood: October 16
Teachers’ and Students' Roles in Preventing and Reducing the Impact of Exposure to Violence on Children
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder launched the Defending Childhood initiative on September 23, 2010, to address a national crisis: the exposure of America’s children to violence as victims and as witnesses. Children’s exposure to violence is often associated with long-term physical, psychological, and emotional harm. The Attorney General participated in a webinar to discuss this initiative and teachers’ and students' roles in preventing and reducing the impact of exposure to violence on children.
Due to the sensitivities involved in this discussion, this program is intended for middle and high-school age students.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
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The Department of Justice’s Defending Childhood initiative seeks to*:
- Prevent children’s exposure to violence as victims and witnesses
- Mitigate the negative effects experienced by children exposed to violence
- Develop knowledge about and increase awareness of this issue
Discovery Education Health provides a wide array of content resources that can be used in support of the Defending Childhood initiative. Delivering dynamic, up-to-date content, Discovery Education Health brings classrooms to life with a comprehensive health and prevention library that addresses the needs of the whole student.
Understanding the Many Types of Violence and the Cycle of Violence
Grades K–5 (available in Discovery Education Streaming too)
What Is a Bully? What Bullies Do
What Is a Bully? Don't Become One
Grades 6–12
Many Types of Violence
The Cycle of Violence
Assisting Children in Coping with Their Feelings and Choosing Nonviolent Behavior
Grades K–5 (available in Discovery Education Streaming too)
Angry? Catch Your Anger
Angry? Just Walk Away
Grades 6–12
Coping with Your Feelings
Changing Pathways in the Brain
Understanding the Negative Consequences of Violence and Choosing Positive Reactions
Grades K–5 (available in Discovery Education Streaming too)
Got Empathy? Do Something
Got Empathy? Show It
Grades 6–12
Consequences for Tariq's Family
Positive Consequences
Resources for
Teachers from the
Department of Justice
About Dr. Wong and Prof. Cox
- Dr. Marleen Wong, Clinical Professor and Associate Dean of Field Education at the USC School of Social Work, has been recognized by the White House as one of the "pre-eminent experts in school crisis and recovery" and the "architect of school-safety programs" by the Wall Street Journal. She has developed mental health recovery programs, crisis and disaster training for school districts and law enforcement in the United States, Canada, Israel and Asia for the past 30 years and is one of the original developers of the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools, an evidence-based program using skill-based group intervention to relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and general anxiety among children traumatized by violence, bullying and trauma.
- Prof. Tory Cox has more than 20 years experience working with youth and violence prevention in group homes, foster care settings, community schools, K-12 public schools, and through federally funded Safe and Drug-Free Schools grants. He is currently president of the California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW).