Supporting adolescents and young Adults 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 sequalae. As AYA-serving health professionals grapple with caring for youth during this pandemic, we recommend actionable, trauma-sensitive practices to address AYAs' unique needs and challenges.