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A great deal has been written about the violent patient. He has been examined genetically, biologically, psychologically, and sociologically. Furthermore he has been studied in terms of predictability, and therapeutically. The victim too has been subjected to a great deal of scrutiny. His reactions, his adjustment, the stress, and the ways of dealing with the stress have all been studied and described. The victim has even been analyzed in terms of his proneness and readiness to be the victim.
In an issue of Psychiatric Annals, devoted to the Psychological Aspects of Violence, the papers consisted of the following: “Personal Reflections: Violence in our Societal Structure” (related to terrorism); “Violence and the Clinician; Risks and Benefits of Working with Violent Patients; Organic Treatment of Chronically Violent Patients; and Convergence of Mental Illness and Violence; Effects on Public Policy.” What has not been adequately attended to is the effect of living in an atmosphere of chronic and continuous violence. The media has addressed this in a general way as it has written about the effects on the community. I would like to review the total impact on the families who live in the deteriorated and slum areas of the City of Bridgeport, especially families who have had a member murdered or savagely attacked.
Bridgeport has a population of 140,029. In 1989 there were 2,682 violent crimes, with murder and nonnegligent manslaughter numbering 36. There were 70 forcible rapes and 1014 aggravated assaults. In 1990 there were 58 murders, an increase of 68%, or one murder for every 2500 people. These figures do not even indicate the brutality and grotesqueness of the violence. In one case a man