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WARNING SIGNS OF VIOLENCE
Violence is the act of purposefully hurting someone and its the major issue
facing today's youth. One in 12 high schoolers is threatened or injured with a weapon each
year. Statistics show that by the early 1990's the incidence of violence caused by young
people reached unparalleled levels in American society. There is no single explanation for
the overall rise in youth violence, since many different factors cause violent behavior.
Among the factors that contribute to violent behavior include:
 | peer pressure
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| need for attention or
respect
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| feelings of low
self-worth
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| early childhood abuse
or neglect
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| witnessing violence at
home, in the community or in the media
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| easy access to weapons
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People often commit violence because of one or more of the following:
Expression - violence
used to release feelings of anger or frustration; they think there are no
answers to their
problems and turn to violence to express their out of control emotions
Manipulation - violence
used as a way to control others or get something they want
Retaliation - violence
is used to retaliate against those who have hurt them or someone they
care about
RECOGNIZING VIOLENCE WARNING SIGNS
IN OTHERS
If you see these immediate warning signs, violence is a serious
possibility:
| loss of temper on a
daily basis
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| frequent physical
fighting
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| significant vandalism
or property damage
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| increase in use of
drugs or alcohol
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| detailed plans to
commit acts of violence
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| announcing threats or
plans for hurting others
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| enjoying hurting
animals
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| carrying a weapon
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If you notice the following signs over a period of time, the potential for
violence exists:
| a history of violent
or aggressive behavior
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| serious drug or
alcohol use
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| gang membership or
strong desire to be in a gang
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| access to or
fascination with weapons, especially guns
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| threatening others
regularly
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| trouble controlling
feelings like anger
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| withdrawal from
friends and usual activities
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| feeling rejected or
alone
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| having been a victim
of bullying
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| poor school
performance
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| history of discipline
problems or frequent run-ins with authority
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| feeling constantly
disrespected
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| failing to acknowledge
the feelings or rights of others
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What you can do if someone you know shows violence warning signs:
| Above all, be safe.
Don't spend time alone with people who show warning signs
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| If possible without
putting yourself in danger, remove the person from the situation
that's setting them off
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| Tell someone you trust
and respect about your concerns and ask for help. This could
be a family member, guidance counselor, teacher, school
psychologist, coach, clergy, school administrators or a
friend
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| If you are worried
about being a victim of violence, get someone to protect you. Do
not resort to violence or use a weapon to protect yourself
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| The key to really
preventing violent behavior is asking an experienced professional for
help. The most important thing to remember is don't go it alone
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Courtesy of the American Psychological
Association www.helping.apa.org
| 
William W. Lee, Ed.D.
