THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF VIOLENCE The Ministry of Health is aware the ongoing gang-related violence resulting in regular flare-ups of drive-by shootings and homicide is evidently distressing to many persons. In the wake of the March 4th double homicide, health professionals, social workers and counsellors are very concerned about the psychological impact on the primary school children and college students who witnessed gruesome scenes bullet-ridden bodies and body parts or who subsequently learnt about them. The concern also extends to adults. Exposure to a psychologically distressing event is traumatic to the mind and body. Children as young as toddlers are exposed to domestic, media and street violence and do display reactions. Repeated exposure amplifies the trauma and is a cause of violent behaviour in young people.
