Supporting adolescents and young adults exposed to or experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

This article discusses the support provided to adolescents and young adults who are exposed to or experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting adolescents and young adults (AYAs) exposed to or experiencing violence is a crucial responsibility of AYA-serving health professionals. In the United States, exposure to parental or caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV), adolescent relationship abuse (ARA), and youth violence pose significant threats to AYA health and disproportionally impact youth of color living in neighborhoods with concentrated disadvantage. The COVID-19 pandemic is both transforming the epidemiology of violence experienced by AYAs and impacting AYA-serving programs and services designed to prevent violence and mitigate negative health sequelae. As AYA-serving health professionals grapple with caring for youth during this pandemic, the authors recommend actionable, trauma-sensitive practices to address AYAs' unique needs and challenges. Although little empirical evidence exists, there is anecdotal evidence COVID-19 has brought an increase in violence. AYAs living in homes with IPV that is escalating during necessary shelter-in place orders may leave their homes to keep themselves safe, potentially leading to more dangerous situations, housing insecurity, and increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. The sudden and rapid technological transformation of all facets of adolescents' lives also increases vulnerability to cyber-based violence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)