Violence doesn't just traumatize the victims. It also impacts family members, witnesses--and sometimes even the perpetrators, who were previously victims themselves.
That's according to Tahari Allen of OSF Strive, a trauma recovery program.
She said trauma can lead to people shifting into a "survival mode" that leads to actions that can perpetuate a destructive cycle if not addressed, but it doesn't have to be that way.
"The cycle can stop if individuals who feel like they are in a survival mode, they can come here, and get the help that they need, and we can help them as best as we can," Allen said.
She said trauma often goes deeper than surface-level issues.
"In the city of Peoria, I feel as though there are a lot of individuals who have issues that are greater than just a party, or are greater than gangs and things like that," Allen said. "There's substance abuse in the home, domestic violence. Just dysfunction."
The program accepts people when they're ready to talk. Sometimes, that can be years after an incident occurred.
OSF Strive is a free service available to Peoria adults and teens to help them work through their emotional trauma and struggles. For more information, click here or call (309) 308-2030.
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