Violence Prevention
Images of violence are prominent in today’s society. The effects of violence are perpetual and destructive and, unfortunately, are felt by many individuals. In addition to causing injury and death, youth violence can have extremely negative effects on families, schools, and communities. Violence never affects just one individual.
Teens and Violence
In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported youth violence as the third leading cause of death among people 15 to 24 years old. The report also stated that in 2013, nearly 20% of high school students surveyed by the CDC stated they had been bullied on school property, and approximately 15% reported being cyberbullied. Furthermore, nearly 25% reported they had been in a physical altercation during the 12 months prior to the survey. The results of the CDC survey show the seriousness of teen violence.
Some reasons that teens may commit violent crimes are related to risky behaviors such as:
Anger – Controlling your anger is the first step in preventing violence. You should count to ten, exercise to get rid of anger, or talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
Exhibiting Prejudice – Prejudice can be based on someone’s gender, race, religion, or nationality. Hate crimes usually stem from someone’s prejudices.
Possessing Weapons – You should never aim a firearm, knife, or other weapon at a person. If you find a firearm or another type of weapon, do not touch it. Tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, a coach, or a teacher. He or she may need to report the situation to the proper authorities.
Giving in to Peer Pressure – Many teens want to be liked by other people or groups. They may go against their upbringing to be accepted and liked.
Using Alcohol & Other Drugs – Alcohol and drugs can alter normal behavior and response to different situations. Many violent crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Joining Gangs - Gangs recruit most heavily in public schools. One-fourth of gang members are between 15 and 17 years old. Because the judicial system is more lenient on young children, many gangs also recruit members as young as nine years old, using these young members to perform riskier jobs for other gang members.
Bullying and Cyberbullying
Have you seen someone repeatedly tease or disrespect someone else at school? How did it make you feel? School violence does not always involve physical injury. Bullying can be physical, but it is often emotional. Shoving another person, sending threatening notes, making physical threats, offering insults, and making fun of a person are all ways bullies treat their victims.
Bullying does not have to happen face-to-face, either. Cyberbullies harm others through social media posts, text messages, instant messages, and other electronic media. You might not even realize that some of the posts you make on your favorite social media site, or how you act toward a certain person at school, could be a precursor to bullying. In this interactivity, find out if some of your actions could label you as a bully and/or if you are being bullied. Click the player button to get started.
Violence in School & Safer Schools
School officials and others are working together to stop violence in schools. Here is a list of what some schools are implementing to eliminate violence:
- Peer mediation programs
- Anti-bullying programs
- Security guards
- Video surveillance cameras
- Drug-and-gun-sniffing dogs
- Awareness programs
Abuse: What is it?
Abuse can cause bruises, scratches, broken bones, and emotional scars. Teachers, school counselors, and doctors are required by law to report cases of abuse to the property authorities. It is a crime to abuse someone, and victims should never blame themselves for the abuse. In this interactivity, learn more about the signs of abuse and ways to prevent it. Click the player button to begin.
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Reducing Abuse and Violence
Do you know what to do when you have a friend or family member who has become a victim of abuse? The best thing you can do is listen, provide support, and accompany the victim as he or she reports the incident. You can support your community by volunteering your time to help prevent violence in your neighborhood. In this interactivity, explore the ways you can help a victim of violence and how you can help prevent violence in your community.
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Gang Involvement
Large or small, gangs and gang members all share similar characteristics. In this interactivity, learn what a gang is and explore the warning signs an individual exhibits after joining a gang. Click the player button to begin.
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Consequences of Gang Involvement and Violence
Violent behavior results in consequences including, injury, expulsion, probation, fines, jail time, or all of the above. In the state of Virginia, there are mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for involvement in a gang. For participation in a criminal act for the benefit of a gang, the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment is two years, if the crime is committed in a school zone. For participation in a criminal act for a gang that includes a juvenile, there is also a mandatory two-year sentence, if the act is committed in a school zone. Both of these offenses can carry a one to 10-year sentence when committed outside a school zone.
Other risks associated with gang involvement are the consequences of weapons possession. In addition to the minimum terms of imprisonment for involvement in a gang, there are minimum terms of imprisonment for possessing a firearm. Minimum terms for possession of a firearm, however, do not only relate to gang members. If a firearm is used in the commission of a felony, the first offense carries a minimum term of three years. Each subsequent offense carries a minimum term of five years. If an individual is caught in possession of a firearm within a school zone, the sentence is one-to-five years of imprisonment. If an individual uses or attempts to use a firearm within a school zone, the minimum term of imprisonment is five years. These are some of the many reasons why it is so important to avoid gangs, weapons, and any type of violent behavior in or outside school.
Violence Prevention Review
Now that you have explored violence prevention, check your knowledge by completing this non-graded interactivity. Click the player button to get started.