Combatting School-Based Violence: A Call to Action for Prevention and Intervention

It is said that charity begins at home, I agree but I would add that a child’s formative years also happens in school. Outside the home, they spend more time at school. What happens when it begins to feel more like a threat to them than a learning institution. School based violence refers to violent activities that happen in school. It could come as bullying, harassment, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, corporal punishments at the hands of their school mates, teachers or a school authority.  It even goes as far as shootings in high schools, killing staff and students.

According to a report by CNN, there have been at least 16 school shootings in the United States alone by early March 2024. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of school-based violence. However, it’s not just the extreme cases that concern us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 486,400 non-fatal violent victimizations among students aged 12-18 in 2014, highlighting the pervasive nature of this problem. It is a pressing issue that poses threats to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff and also undermine the learning environment and have long term effects.

School based violence can stem from various factors like poverty, inequality and exposure to violence on the media. Again, charity begins at home, well a lot of bad behavior also emerges from situations that makes a child behave the way they do. They get bullied at home and take it out on their peers or teachers. Other cases like neglect, inadequate parental supervision also play a crucial role. Gender based discrimination, peer pressure contributes to student’s attitudes within the school setting.

To mitigate these issues, we need to tackle these causes and to do that all hands must be on deck. CDC recommends several prevention strategies like school-based prevention programs, parents and family-based programs and so on. The United Nations Children fund also curated a practical handbook that effectively talks about school-based violence prevention.

However, while prevention strategies are crucial, interventions are equally vital. Specific intervention programs or policies that have been successful in addressing school-based violence should be emphasized. For instance, implementing restorative justice practices, conflict resolution training, and providing mental health support services within schools have shown promising results in reducing violent incidents and fostering a safer school environment.

Additionally, addressing broader structural issues such as systemic inequality, inadequate resources in schools, and societal attitudes towards violence are imperative. By addressing these root causes, we can create a more supportive and nurturing environment that promotes positive behaviors and prevents violence.

To conclude, school-based violence poses a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of students and educators alike. By identifying root causes and implementing prevention and intervention strategies, it will be reduced to the barest minimum and best-case scenario be totally eradicated.