The headline is always the same “Children were not harmed”; that headline always makes me cringe.

Last Wednesday night Erica Allen, an elementary school principal, loss her life at the hands of her husband Nicholas Allen, who was an assistant principal. He later took his own life; their two children were in the home during this event. The children are two and seven years old.

The children have been harmed.

Below is a video I often share during training on the affects of domestic violence on children. You may be familiar with it; if not it is a great tool to help the audience see how the violence in the home is shaping the children and also a reminder to victim advocates and first responders about trauma informed care.