Program & Services

Violence Awareness at School

Violent behavior can happen at every grade level. Some reasons include:

• family breakdown
• children being left alone
• less family time with positive communication

This violence is shocking. But there are common warning signs. It might be prevented if these signs are seen early. The signs should be taken seriously. The following are a few ways to identify the warning signs. These tips might help stop violent behavior in your or someone else's child.

Warning Signs

A child with interest in guns or other weapons

• Is the child too interested in a weapon's ability to harm people or property?
• Does the child have weapons or have access to weapons?
• Does the child have a secret collection of weapons?

A child who has been aggressive against people, animals, or property

All of the following are signs that the child needs help right away.

• Increasing number of aggressive acts or threats
• Increasing harassing behavior
• Threatening letters
• Threatening phone messages
• Hurting pets
• Vandalism
• Fire-setting

The child is angry, hostile, or is a bully

• Does the child bully others?
• Does he or she have emotional outbursts?
• Does he or she have tantrums long past age two?
• Does the child blame others for his or her problems?

The child has trouble making or keeping friends

• Has the child withdrawn from his or her friends?
• Does the child have new, questionable friends?
• Has the child chosen to become isolated?

The child has trouble getting along with adults

• Does the child not follow rules?
• Does the child disrespect parents and other authority figures?

The child watches too much television or enjoys playing violent video games

• Keep an eye on the child's television viewing habits. Limit the amount of time he or she watches television or plays video games. There is often too much violence on television and in games. This violence has no apparent consequences.
• Teach the child that there are consequences to violent acts.

Self-Help Strategies

Take verbal warnings seriously

Get help immediately if:

• the child threatens to kill or harm another person
• the child speaks of self-harm
• the child is very interested in death
• the child talks about "taking others with me" or "not going alone"

Don't treat threats lightly

Early warning signs that a problem could get serious include:

• Threatening looks
• Threatening gestures
• Threatening body language