In some communities, gun violence is a rare and alarming occurrence. In others, it’s just a fact of life.

…In one study of urban youth, 42 percent reported having seen someone shot or knifed and 22 percent reported having seen someone killed. Indirect exposure through the sound of gunfire is only now being explored.

…What kind of damage does this do to young people? Exposure to gun violence has been linked to a variety of psychological challenges like anger and dissociation, anxiety and depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also affect youth in the classroom, making it difficult for them to concentrate in class and damaging their academic performance and educational or career aspirations. [emphasis: mine]

… Crime encourages urban flight, which can impose a wide range of social costs on families who leave the city, from longer commutes to distance from family and friends. For those who stay, violent crime can impose tangible costs by reducing housing values and community investment, making it difficult to build wealth.

Raising the Voices of Gun Violence

hmmmm