Futures Without Violence

WITNESSING VIOLENCE CAN CHANGE A KID’S MIND. BUT YOUR EVERYDAY GESTURES CAN HELP THEM HEAL. Early trauma and violence in the home, school or community can affect children throughout their entire lives. Research reveals that a child’s positive and negative experiences can literally shape, and reshape, the brain. The more a child is exposed to traumatic events, the more neural connections are created in regions of the brain that involve fear, anxiety, and impulsiveness. Chronic stress can be linked to cognitive impairment, chronic health problems and behavior issues.

Changing Minds aims to raise awareness of childhood exposure to violence and motivate adults who regularly interact with children to take meaningful action in supporting children who may be affected.

Changing Minds was launched in partnership with the US Department of Justice and the Advertising Council, and is a project of the Defending Childhood Initiative. For more information and resources, please visit ChangingMindsNOW.org.