SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Violence in our schools can never be tolerated.

When children pass through the door, they should

find safety, not violence.

-Elizabeth Dole

SCHOOL VIOLENCESchool violence refers to any act that can hamper the positive school atmosphere and its education mission. The following are the forms of school violence: Bullying Fighting or assaulting inside or outside the school premises Bringing drugs and other harmful components to the school Sexual harassment Vandalism Robbing or stealing Bringing handheld weapons and firearms inside the school premises

Bullying- attempting to inflict physical or psychological harm on another person.

Fighting and assaulting inside or outside the school premises- picking on someone verbally or threatening injury and harm. Gang rivalry may lead to such violence.

Bringing drugs and other harmful components to the school- local gang members of the neighborhood influencing student(s) to provide drugs to the other members who are in school.

Sexual harassment- one of the serious issues for the school administration to tackle; most of the cases associated with sexual harassment are censored to protect the prestige of school and school administration

Vandalism- damaging or completely destroying the properties of others just to seek some fun

Robbing or stealing- forcing others to take personal materials, school supplies, or school equipment that do not belong to them.

Bringing handheld weapons and firearms inside the school premises

SCHOOL VIOLENCE: A MULTI-FACETED PROBLEM There is no one specific cause known to this multi-faceted problem. School Violence may be attributed to domestic abuse, overcrowded schools, gang activity, drugs, depression, and anger issues. Hence, understanding these “alleged causes” of school violence is the best start in working to prevent it. Do you remember the Virginia Tech shooting that happened in 2007, or the one in Connecticut in 2012? Such stories proved that the effect of school violence are just as hurting because they lead to emotional, mental, and physical abuses. The victims worry a lot leading to fear, shame, anxiety, and depression. Others become aggressive, while others get injured and suffer from cuts, bruises, broken bones, or even death.

PREVENTION Raising awareness to the causes and effects of school violence Avoid bad company Be an ambassador of goodwill Be aware of what is happening around you Make a stand against bullying Support the projects of the school against school violence