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GREENSBORO — It’s a situation police see all too often when responding to domestic violence calls: a crying child, a little boy or girl scared of the police and what might happen to one of their parents.

“They are raised to believe police are bad and they are going to take away Mom or Dad,” said Greensboro police Officer M.L. Sletton. “I would say about 80 percent (of domestic violence calls) we deal with have a child involved or a parent with a child.”

That young child, officials say, often witnesses a violent act involving parents or on the streets in which they live.

Witnessing violence can have long-term negative effects. Now Greensboro police and Family Service of the Piedmont are working to prevent that through a program called the Child Response Initiative.

The pilot program, which started in January, gives families with children an outlet for assistance to cope with violent acts and provides counseling to ward off the psychological impact that trauma can cause.

With children, violent acts can cause trouble sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, problems concentrating, anger outbursts and withdrawal, among other issues.

Left untreated, research shows that children who routinely witness violent acts are at higher risk later in life to abuse drugs or alcohol, commit crimes or be involved in an abusive relationship.

“We want to stop the multi-generation violence,” said Lindy Beauregard, an advocate with the program.

The program is funded for two years through a $93,000 grant from the N.C. Governor’s Crime Commission.

For now, it’s being implemented only in the police department’s Eastern Division, though officials hope it will eventually go citywide.

The program works through police referrals only, with officers giving families information about it at their homes. Advocates with the program follow up within 24 hours. Treatment is voluntary and often involves a collective approach.

That can include therapists watching the children play and monitoring their behavior, a behavior analysis and how it is impacted by trauma, and discussions about the event with a focus on the future.

“When they first come in they are scared to even talk about it because of the situation and fear of getting in trouble,” said Kelly Deane, a therapist with the program.

“I’ve seen a good number of kids open up and like coming to therapy ... and talking about some of the things that happened to them.”

Children do not have to be a direct victim. Referrals also don’t have to be related to domestic violence, but can involve other traumatic incidents such as suicide, homicide, robbery, assault and more.

Since January, Greensboro police say they have referred 141 families to the program.

“We are being proactive and intercepting problems,” said Lt. Mike Richey.

“Many offenders were victims when children. If we can discuss issues and people see the impact violence has on children — maybe (the program) can prevent a future offender.”

 Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com