Tips & Tools
Children and Trauma
Children are not miniature adults, and they deserve special consideration when they end up in the news. Yet few journalists have experience interviewing children for routine stories, let alone when tragedy hits. This page brings together wisdom, examples and interdisciplinary resources to aid and inform those concerned with how children involved in traumatic events are covered in the media.
Dart Resources
Children and Media Coverage of Trauma
An overview of current research on the short- and long-term impacts of media coverage of tragedy on children, as well as aggravating risk factors and suggestions for future research.
For Their Own Good
This six-part series reveals a century of abuse at Florida's oldest reform school in a haunting narrative. Originally published by the St. Petersburg Times between April and December, 2009, it is a winner of the 2010 Dart Award for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma.
A Family Deployment
Soldiers don't go into a war zone alone: their families share the experience. A Minnesota Public Radio reporter shares her story and explains the reporting behind it.
The Craft of Trauma Journalism
Winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma discuss journalistic craft and answer questions in a panel discussion at Columbia University.
Covering Teen Suicide
Suicide is a leading cause of teenage deaths, but is often treated as a journalistic taboo. Reporters and researchers break down the complicated ethical issues reporters must face to get the story right.
Outside Resources
-
Child Sexual Abuse
National Center for PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet. It details the effects of sexual abuse on children, and adults exposed to sexual abuse as children.
-
The Effects of Community Violence on Children and Adolescents
National Center for PTSD
A National Center for PTSD Fact Sheet. A summary of the specific effects of community violence on children and adolescents.
-
Terrorist Attacks and Children
National Center for PTSD
A summary of research involving children's responses to terrorism and strategies for helping them recover.
-
Childhood Traumatic Grief: Educational Materials [PDF]
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The NCTSN has published recommendations for journalists who cover childhood trauma.
-
Helping Children Cope with Tragedy
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
An example of a sidebar with information about the possible effects of trauma on children.
-
Covering Domestic Violence
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
A guide for journalists and other media professionals.
-
Covering Tragedy
ABC Radio
2007 Ochberg Fellow Lisa Millar talks about trauma journalism on the National Media Report.
All Tips & Tools
Publications for Topic
-
Covering Children & Trauma
When children are victims of violence, journalists have a responsibility to report the truth with compassion and sensitivity.
-
Tragedies & Journalists
A 40-page guide to help journalists, photojournalists and editors report on violence while protecting both victims and themselves.