Children Present or Witnessing Violent Deaths and Suicides

How often are children reported as present for or witness to violent deaths and suicides, and what are the related circumstances?In this cross-sectional study of 196 843 violent deaths and suicides that occurred in the US from 2019 to 2023, children were reported present for or witness to a substantial proportion of violent deaths and suicides, with most incidents involving firearms and occurring in a home. Nearly one-third of homicides were preceded by intimate partner violence, and almost half of suicides were preceded by intimate partner problems.Children were documented as present for or witness to a substantial proportion of violent deaths and suicides, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive approach to preventing these deaths and reducing children’s exposure to traumatic events.

Corresponding Author: Marissa L. Zwald, PhD, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30341 (ipv5@cdc.gov).

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