A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child’s life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens the life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic. This is particularly important for young children as their sense of safety depends on the perceived safety of their attachment figures.

Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Children who experience an inability to protect themselves or who lacked protection from others to avoid the consequences of the traumatic experience may also feel overwhelmed by the intensity of physical and emotional responses.

Even though adults work hard to keep children safe, dangerous events still happen. This danger can come from outside of the family (such as a natural disaster, car accident, school shooting, or community violence) or from within the family, such as domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the unexpected death of a loved one.

Illinois Public Act 097-­1147, requires public schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education for children from early childhood through twelfth grade. District 76 provides instruction in compliance with Erin’s Law. Age­ appropriate research-based instruction helps students recognize unsafe situations, keep themselves safe, and understand how to respond to unsafe situations. Diamond Lake School District 76 team members provide each grade level age -appropriate information on topics such as: safe versus unsafe touching, the touching rule, secrets, and reporting. In middle school, the focus will shift to safe dating and self-advocacy.
Parents have the right to opt their child out of participating in the annual child abuse prevention presentation by completing a new form each year and submitting it to their Building Principal.

Additional General Resources and Information

Bullying is defined as unwanted, intentional, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is severe, pervasive, and often repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time. Teasing, peer conflicts, arguments, isolated incidents of name-calling, or expressing opinions are not bullying. Bullying may be reported orally, in writing, or anonymously by the bullying target, witness, or other person with information about an incident of bullying. To report a possible situation of bullying contact a school administrator.

Suicide and depression awareness and prevention are important. District 76 addresses suicide and depression awareness with practices and procedures for early identification and referral of students possibly at risk of suicide.  Students are taught lessons addressing how to cope with difficult emotions and how to seek help from a trusted adult per state requirements.

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of your child please call 911 or take them to the closest emergency room.