In response to recent reports of the escalating violence in the Chicagoland area, the Governors State University community feels an urgent need to act. In 2012, more than 224 Chicago area residents have been killed by gun violence, more than in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Medical community, as reported in University of Pennsylvania study, has noticed a distinct rise in asthma attacks in children impacted by violence. In Chicago, a city already first in the nation with this disease, emergency rooms have also detected a distinct rise on week-ends when violence is most prevalent. The reason: children are under extreme stress from the violence plaguing their neighborhoods, families and schools. Young people live in fear, many showing signs of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) as they struggle to navigate urban war zones. In an effort to assist our community in facing this crisis, GSU established a cross-discipline team to explore ideas and solutions. Respond to Violence is the result of this collaboration.
Mission Statement: Respond to Violence is a site designed to help and empower members of communities to utilize information and media to bring about positive change.
