Resolution recognizes youth violence as a public health epidemic
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Senate on May 9 unanimously passed a resolution filed by State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., D-St. Louis City, that would address the issue of youth violence as a public health epidemic and declare June 7 as “Christopher Harris Day” in the state of Missouri.
“For a body that holds Republican majorities in both chambers to recognize how critical this issue is and to acknowledge that youth violence has become an epidemic not only in Missouri but across the United States is major,” says Franks.
“It is important that we focus our energy on getting to the root cause of youth violence. Advancing HCR 70 is a huge step in the right direction, as opening up this conversation can create avenues for increased resources and support for the establishment of statewide trauma-informed education. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the building.”
Franks filed House Concurrent Resolution 70 in honor of his brother, Christopher Harris, who lost his life to gun violence at the age of nine after being utilized as a human shield during a heated altercation between his neighbor and a drug dealer outside of his home. HCR 70 not only honors Christopher Harris but the children in St. Louis and throughout the state of Missouri who have lost their lives to violence.
“The underlying causes of trauma include but don’t exclude undiagnosed mental health issues, quality of living conditions, poverty, parental instability, exposure to violence in families and communities and many more aspects of our everyday life,” Franks says.
Additionally, the resolution calls for the reinforcement of statewide trauma-informed education, which would assist in enhancing awareness and understanding regarding the topic of trauma-informed approaches and trauma-specific interventions for teachers and students.
“One thing we have to remember is that conditions will often lead individuals to believe that injustices are just. Young people have become so accustomed to violence in their communities that they feel as though there are no other options, which in some cases is very true. Recognizing youth violence as a public health issue will aid in gathering the necessary resources to combat this epidemic from the root cause.”
For more information regarding Rep. Franks’ HCR 70, please contact Danielle Spradley at 573-751-2383.
