S.A.V.E. Stopping the aftermath of violence effectively

S.A.V.E. A pilot program designed to accomplish the following primary outcomes. S.A.V.E. will utilize the contacts made by law enforcement officers in the course of their normal duties to identify children/youth that are exposed to violence and emotional trauma as witnesses or direct victims. Through collaboration with Hemet/San Jacinto schools and service agencies, the SAVE program is designed to develop intervention plans for children/youth and their families that are tailored to meet their individual needs. Increase community awareness of the enormity of the problem and the long-term consequences of children exposed to violence Gaps in services for children who have been exposed to violence either as a victim or a witness will be identified and filled.

What We Know Research shows that children exposed to violence and traumatic events suffer increased depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, anger, alcohol and drug abuse and lower academic achievement. New scientific research is uncovering the physiological impact of violence on the developing human brain and the long-term consequences of this exposure. By the time a child reaches the age of 18, the probability that he or she will have experienced family or community violence, either as a victim or a witness, is one in four. Bruce Perry, M.D. Ph.D., Professor of Child Psychiatry, Child Trauma Academy, August 1999 Childhood abuse and neglect increase the odds of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent, arrest as an adult by 28 percent and arrest for a violent crime by 30 percent. National Institute of Justice Research Brief, February 2001 California has the highest rate of juvenile incarceration in the country. Incarceration costs California nearly $48,000 per year, per child. National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2000. And California Youth Authority, 2001

What Can I Do? Law enforcement can refer children who are witnesses of domestic violence for S.A.V.E. intervention services by completing a S.A.V.E. referral card. Educators can be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of children exposed to violence. School administrators can assist and support children and families through referrals to S.A.V.E. and other services. Health care and social service professionals can perform a dual role by identifying children who have witnessed violence and by educating the parents they come in contact with about the effects of violence on children. Community members can take an active role in learning more about the research related to the impact of violence on “our” children. They can then share this information with friends, family, coworkers, legislators and community leaders. Children in California need to know that their community cares about their health and success.

For more information contact: Edwina Scott S.A.V.E. Coordinator Tel: 909-654-2026

S.A.V.E. serves families that live within the boundaries of the Hemet & San Jacinto Unified School Districts. The program is funded by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the Children and Families Commission.

S.A.V.E. Planning Team has been meeting since November 2000, and is comprised of representatives from:   Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) California Highway Patrol Center Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Hemet Police Department Hemet Unified School District San Jacinto Police Department San Jacinto Unified School District Valley-Wide Outreach Services   Riverside County: District Attorney /Victim Witness DPSS/Child Protective Services Mental Health Department Probation Department Public Defender’s Office Public Health Department Sheriff’s Department Supervisor Jim Venable’s Office

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