Sometimes these events occur between people we know. At other times, we may just happen to be somewhere and see a gratuitous example of violence. Exposure to violence and violation happens daily to children and adults alike, requiring us to metabolize these daily jolts. The Witnessing Project calls the way we react to these jolts common shock, to capture the biological and psychological responses that are triggered when we witness violence and violation. It is common, because it happens all the time, to everyone in any community. It is a shock, because whether our response is spaciness, distress, or bravado, it affects our mind, body and spirit.

How we respond to common shock not only has significant effects on our own lives, but our individual responses have ramifications for our families and the society as a whole. Since very few people are aware of the chronic debilitating effects of witnessing everyday violence, few people know how to deal with it themselves or help others do so.

The Witnessing Project has two primary goals:

1. To make people aware of the themselves as everyday witnesses to violence and violation, and

2. To provide people with the tools to cope with the biological, psychological, interpersonal and societal effects of witnessing.

Witnessing is like a two-sided coin. It can be toxic or beneficial to us. The Witnessing Project aims to help people flip the witnessing coin from the harmful to the healing side.

We do this in a variety of ways, tailored to the particular presenting situation. In every case, though, the Witnessing Project increases awareness of and teaches skills to carry out safe, effective, and positive witnessing practices in the context of family and community involvement. Ceremony and ritual, the arts and nature often play a role. Healing in the present and for the future is the ultimate goal.