How Rescue Workers Can Help:
After violence or disaster rescue workers should:
- Protect children:
- From further harm
- From traumatic sights and sounds
- From onlookers and media
- Be kind, but firm in directing children:
- Away from the event site
- Away from injured survivors
- Keep children together with family and friends
- Identify children in acute distress
- Stay with them until they are calm
- They may tremble
- They may ramble
- They may become mute
- They may exhibit erratic behavior
- Loud crying
- Rage
- They may sit completely still or frozen
- Be tolerant of difficult behavior
- Be tolerant of strong emotions
- Supportive acts help children feel safe:
- A quick hug
- A reassuring word
