The journal of primary prevention
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Inner-city children are exposed to an environment fraught with violence. They are frequent victims of violence and even more frequent witnesses of violence. Exposure to violence can provoke a variety of responses in exposed children such as crying, tremors, withdrawal, etc. ⋯ Parental support is particularly important in helping children to cope with stress. Professional interventions in the family and school can help children to cope with such trauma. Such interventions attempt to help children to cope with violent situations by construing the situations in positive ways, by working toward attainable goals and by not allowing them to be overwhelmed by their fear and frustration, thus preventing the trauma from permanently affecting them.