Merging Research, Practice, and Policy in Addressing Children's Exposure to Violence

Cuyahoga County is challenged with high rates of childhood exposure to violence and associated risk factors. U.S. Census data from 2009 indicated that 30.9% of children under age 5 in Cuyahoga County lived below the poverty line, with rates nearly twice as high in Cleveland. Furthermore, Cleveland was home to two of the 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the country in 2010. Whether as victims or witnesses of violence, children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of exposure, especially if violence is occurring within the home. Moreover, early and prolonged exposure to violence appears to significantly affect children’s developing brains, particularly in young children who have fewer reasoning capacities and effective defenses. Cuyahoga County is one of eight sites that received funding through the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s “Defending Childhood” initiative. Researchers at the Begun Center for Violence Prevention and Education at Case Western Reserve University are part of this collaborative effort, providing ongoing planning, data and evaluation support. Dr. Flannery will present his work on the “Defending Childhood” initiative and discussants will talk about their experiences in the community and policy implications associated with the effort.


Schubert Conversations on Children in Research, Policy, and Practice are monthly seminars featuring cutting-edge research by CWRU faculty, with corresponding commentary by local professionals. These events stimulate an ongoing dialogue about child-related research, policy, and practice among faculty, students, policy experts, advocates, and professionals from Northeast Ohio.  Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.