The University of Illinois YWCA hopes to raise awareness about how trauma and abuse put women at greater risk of ending up in the criminal justice system.

News of two shooting incidents that occurred over the weekend in Urbana come at a time when local leaders and community members are grappling with what to do about an uptick in violence across the Champaign-Urbana area.

Children who experience trauma often face behavioral, health and academic challenges, according to decades of research.

Last month, about a dozen people gathered in the basement of a church in Champaign, Ill. to learn how traumatic experiences affect the lives of children and young adults, and what they can do to mitigate its effects.

Researchers who study community violence have identified trauma as one of its main underlying causes. And it’s a vicious cycle: trauma spurs violence, which causes more trauma to the community. A free training program aims to equip participants with the tools they need to help victims of trauma.