Preventing Violence In Schools

Examines the complex problem of school violence using qualitative & ethnographic data from observations, individual interviews, & focus groups, as well as published data. Analyzes violence preventions programs & assesses their effectiveness.

This timely book presents a data-driven approach to preventing and responding to school violence. As school violence receives increasing attention across the nation, the application of scientific knowledge is critical. For maximum effectiveness, transdisciplinary teams should use school data, logic models, and theories of change to design, implement, and evaluate interventions. Collaboration among key stakeholders is also necessary to address both structural and systemic barriers to success with violence prevention. With concrete methods for promoting safety in primary and secondary educational settings, this book will engage and enable school faculty, counselors, administrators, and other partners to better understand areas of common interest and learn how to work together more effectively.

This important new work covers clinical issues in treating victims of school violence and assessing children with the potential for violence. The editor also examines the effectiveness of prevention intervention programs and offers larger policy recommendations. The book looks at environmental factors such as cultural issues on behaviors from bullying to mass school shootings. And uniquely, the book delves into topics such as sexual boundaries and body image. In all, this book aims for a theoretical and applied picture of the current state of school violence and prevention.

Results from numerous surveys indicate that many students do not feel safe in school. This condition exacts an academic as well as a psychological toll because, as the authors remind us, children must feel safe in order to learn. The authors of Preventing Bullying and School Violence contend that inadequate attention has been given to the role of mental health professionals in preventing bullying and school violence. They propose a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, one that draws upon the skills of the educational, health care, and mental health communities in identifying risk, choosing appropriate interventions, and implementing targeted wellness programs. The authors see bullying as a process, not a problem originating with a single troubled person. Accordingly, they believe that bullying behaviors can be effectively addressed only by targeting the broader social context -- the coercive power and group dynamics that breed and maintain bullying and violent behavior in the school setting. The book is designed to help clinicians, school counselors, and administrators create a safe climate for their students and to respond thoughtfully, but swiftly, when threats arise. The authors offer many practical guidelines for achieving these goals, addressing The critical importance of establishing a strong connection between the family, the school, and the community in creating a healthy academic environment Strategies for working effectively with the complex social bureaucracies that often characterize the entities (such as school boards and governmental agencies) that intervene in cases involving violent children, with an emphasis on developing skills in managing both small and large groups Ways to define and recognize at-risk children who require special attention as a result of having mental illness and/or learning disability Innovative community interventions, such as therapeutic mentoring and home-based therapy, in addition to information on local, state, and federal programs designed to support antiviolence programs in the schools Techniques for promoting wellness among the student population -- not just physical wellness, but also the positive attitudes and coping skills that are the hallmarks of mental health. Preventing Bullying and School Violence aims to empower mental health professionals to work confidently and effectively in educational settings to reduce the distress, enhance the psychological well-being, and secure the safety of all schoolchildren.

In recent years, different regions of the world have been unfortunately experiencing an increase in violent acts within various communities. For example, the United States has seen an emergence of severe violence within schools over the past two decades. This tragic phenomenon is causing administrators and practitioners to rethink teaching techniques and implement concepts of violence prevention within schools and other social organizations. Preventing and Reducing Violence in Schools and Society is a collection of innovative research on the evolution and implementation of nonviolence concepts within social settings in order to repent oppression and violence among global communities. The book explores the effective diffusion of violence through masterful negotiation and mediation skills as well as mentoring, counseling, and related processes. While highlighting topics including nonviolent teaching, active shooter training, and LGBT-phobia, this book is ideally designed for UN, governments and their heads, politicians, NGOs, communities riddled with gang and other violence, schools, educational leaders, social organizations, community leaders, teachers, preachers, religious leaders, mediators, peace activists, law enforcement, researchers, and students seeking current research on contemporary nonviolence techniques to facilitate change in schools and other societal environments.

A look at why Canadian schools are becoming more violent and what we can do to prevent this.

Significant shifts in community violence have created a need for greater awareness of character development and violence prevention in schools. Since the first edition (2008), public concern generated by high-profile shootings and other violence in schools has only increased. Now more than ever, effective strategies for preventing violence, treating victims, and assessing at-risk children are needed. This new edition, an update of contemporary issues of school violence, is a compendium of theory, research, and applied models that addresses violence and critical ingredients in prevention interventions in schools. The book uniquely addresses psychiatric input on neurobiology of trauma and victimization of children who experience school violence. Authored by clinicians, counselors, educators, researchers, and other professionals, the volume covers new approaches to primary prevention in schools and new contributors including a school superintendent, school safety officer, and specialists who treat relationship and dating violence. New topics include guidelines for school personnel that address exploitation of teenagers due to sex trafficking, and perspectives of parents whose children were victims of abuse and violence in schools. Among the topics explored: Developmental Issues in the Prevention of Aggression and Violence in School Updated Perspectives on Linking School Bullying and Related Youth Violence Research to Effective Prevention Strategies The Role of School District Superintendent in School Violence and Prevention: Softening Schools While Hardening Buildings Role of Law Enforcement in School Violence Prevention Through Positive Intervention and Relationship-Building Empowering Children to Prevent Violence School Violence and Primary Prevention is a critical and timely resource for school, medical, and mental health professionals working with children. It is also useful for students in public health, education, social work, psychology, and counseling-focused education. "Dr. Miller has again made a major contribution on a most pressing issue of our time: school violence. The book covers the landscape of this psychosocial problem including cultural, developmental, intergenerational, racial, and gender aspects as well as approaches and solutions." -James J. Clark, Provost & EVP, Florida State University.

This invaluable book offers a comprehensive guide for educators in understanding and promoting wellbeing and violence prevention initiatives in schools and communities. Ittranslates research and theory into practice with a strong evidence-based application. The book is presented in five thematic sections, namely: culture and wellbeing; young females and wellbeing; bullying; cyberbullying and student violence; interventions to promote wellbeing; and interventions to promote violence prevention. An introductory chapter provides an overview of the field and a commentary chapter draws the five themes together. Written by experienced researchers and educators, each of the 21 chapters provides practical information and research on school, classroom or community applications, trends and issues in the field, and practical ideas for wellbeing and violence prevention measures. Issues of culture, gender and youth voice are specifically addressed.