School violence is violence that occurs in the school setting. It describes violent acts that disrupt learning and have a negative effect on students, schools, and the broader community. Weapons and firearm use are a factor of school violence. School violence prevention is a multi-level, multi-sector effort!
A majority of teens in the U.S. fear school firearm violence. Firearm deaths are the second leading cause of death for youth under 19 years old (CDC 2022). Preventing school violence requires addressing the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence.
Examples of school violence include:
Places school violence occurs:
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Pew Research Center; KFF
Risk factors are characteristics linked with youth violence, but they are not direct causes of youth violence. A combination of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of youth violence. Research on youth violence has increased our understanding of factors that make some populations more vulnerable to victimization and perpetration. Many risk factors for youth violence are linked to experiencing toxic stress, or stress that is prolonged and repeated. Toxic stress can negatively change the brain development of children and youth. Toxic stress can result from issues like living in impoverished neighborhoods, experiencing food insecurity, experiencing racism, limited access to support and medical services, and living in homes with violence, mental health problems, substance abuse, and other instability.
Source: CDC
Firearm violence poses a serious threat to America’s children and youth. Existing to the need for improved strategies for keeping firearms out of the hands of children and youth and those who would harm them.
While firearm violence in schools is extremely rare, the majority of youth murdered, are killed with a firearm and nearly half of youth suicide deaths involve the use of a firearm.
The good news is school violence can be prevented. Efforts to end youth firearm violence must focus on accessibility and prevention. See our prevention tab for more on this.
Source: Journal of Disaster Health; U.S. Department of Education; National Center for Education Statistics
Based on the most recent data released by the School-Associated Violent Death Surveillance System (SAVD-SS), there were a total of 39 school-associated violent deaths in the United States in the 2018–19 school year. This included homicides and suicides. Of these 39 school-associated violent deaths, 10 homicides and 3 suicides were of school-age youth (ages 5–18). In the 10-year period from 2011-2012 to 2020-2021, 195 school shooting incidents involving fatalities occurred in US K-12 schools, an average of 20 incidents per year. Dividing the nation’s approximately 130,000 primary and secondary schools (US DOE, 2021) by 20, any given primary or secondary school can expect to experience a school shooting incident involving fatalities about once every 6500 years.
It is vitally important that communities across Washington state (and beyond) work together to support a strong mental health system that is equipped to provide care, support, and services to those in need.
Visit HIPRC’s Mental Health Awareness website to find access to local, regional, national resources PLUS take a FREE Mental Health Test, and more >> https://hiprc.org/mham/
Over 5,200 young people die by suicide each year. Suicide is the 2nd-leading cause of death among young people 10 to 24 years of age, following unintentional injuries. 85% of suicides happen from firearms that are not safely stored. There are many practical, effective interventions parents and others can undertake to decrease the risk of a child attempting or dying by suicide.
Visit HIPRC’s Suicide Prevention Guide to learn more on how to recognize the signs, find comfort when grieving a loss, and find access to local, regional, national resources >> https://hiprc.org/suicide-prevention-month/
School violence prevention is a community effort. It may not always happen at school or on the school grounds, but it always has some form of impact on students. It’s certainly a significant public health problem that WE ALL can help PREVENT. People who hurt themselves or others often show warning signs before they carry out an act of violence. If you don’t know what to look for, it can be easy to miss the signs, or dismiss them as unimportant. Significantly, missing the signs can have tragic consequences. Notably, in 4 out of 5 school shootings, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan but failed to report it.
Stopping youth violence before it occurs and sustaining this proactive approach throughout childhood and adolescence can be done with available programs, practices, and policies. The CDC has developed numerous technical packages that help states and communities take advantage of the best available evidence to prevent violence.
You can help prevent school violence and firearm violence. Small actions can lead to big impact!
Source: Sandy Hook Promise; CDC; Kids Health; Seattle Schools
Practice Safe Storage: Firearms that are not stored safely increase risk of suicide, homicide, and unintentional injury for household members and the community. Firearm safe storage provides an effective way to keep you and your family safe. The safest way to store a firearm is:
Ask Questions: Make sure to ask your child/teen direct questions if you feel something is going on. Try to talk openly about what may be bothering them and their thoughts. It’s important to normalize having tough conversations.
Be Vigilant: If you notice your child or and young child or adolescent acting strange, ask questions. Let them know if they are going through stressors or unnecessary worry, they should share their anxieties with you or a different trusted adult.
Listen and validate concerns: Respond honestly to any thoughts or fears expressed in an age-appropriate manner. Identify social supports (e.g., family members, friends) with whom they can discuss their feelings. Don’t push your child to discuss how they feel. Different people will have different reactions.
Model and practice brave behavior: Parents/guardians can model brave behaviors by continuing to participate in community activities. Encourage your child to engage in these activities as well.
Have a conversation about media: Repeated exposure to the media content can exacerbate concerns. Parents/guardians should do their best to have conversations about what they are seeing in the media and help students make informed decisions about the media they are engaging with.
Share local and community events: Touch base with your child’s school and school district representatives to learn about school violence prevention trainings and events. Even if you cannot attend, sharing these events on your social media accounts, via text, or via word of mouth can help make a difference in preventing school violence.
Notice Warning Signs: Someone on the verge of violence may show warning signs. These can include:
Source: Sandy Hook Promise; Nemours® KidsHealth®
PLEASE NOTE: This isn’t a complete list of all warning signs. Exhibiting one of these signs doesn’t necessarily indicate imminent violence. When concerned about troubling behaviors, call 911 if there is an immediate threat.
9-8-8: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
Talk to a Trusted Adult: In 4 out of 5 school shootings, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan but failed to report it. If and when you see signs of something that doesn’t seem normal or right, get help. Talk to a trusted adult (parent, caretaker, teacher, school official, friend’s parents). If you see something, say something.
Notice Warning Signs: Someone on the verge of violence may show warning signs. These can include:
Source: Sandy Hook Promise; Nemours® KidsHealth®
PLEASE NOTE: This isn’t a complete list of all warning signs. Exhibiting one of these signs doesn’t necessarily indicate imminent violence. When concerned about troubling behaviors, tell a trusted adult or call 911 if there is an immediate threat.
Access to Social Support: Help navigate solutions and talk with parents, teachers, peers, classmates to get help for whatever you may be facing.
Anonymous Tip Line for Seattle Public School District Parents/Teens
You or your student can use the SPS Safe Schools Hotline to report any threats to SPS schools. This phone number is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CALL: 206-252-0510
Academy for Creating Excellence (ACE)
ACE Academy exists to prepare men of color for excellence through the core values of family, academics, motivation, and environment (fame).
VISIT: aceacademywa.org
“Asking is Caring,” The Connection Effect
Asking is Caring is a community conversation about youth mental health and suicide prevention led by parents for all parents and caregivers. It offers practical things we can all do to help our kids in these challenging times.
VISIT: connectioneffect.org
Choose 180
CHOOSE 180 serves as an emergency room for young people in crisis. They surround youth and young adults with a community of support that connects them to the resources and supports necessary to live out their commitment to CHOOSE 180.
VISIT: choose180.org
Crisis Connection
Crisis Connection offers 24-hour support.
VISIT: crisisconnections.org
Do the Write Thing (DTWT)
DTWT brings students together with a teacher to talk, write, and do things to create positive change.
VISIT: dtwt.org/
HIPRC’s Mental Health Resources
VISIT: hiprc.org/MHAM
School Safety and Crisis Resources (National Association of School Psychologist)
VISIT: nasponline.org
Seattle Public Schools Mental Health Services Department
VISIT: seattleschools.org
Teen Link
Teen Link offers young people peers to listen and discuss concerns. Calls and chats are confidential.
CALL: 1-866-teenlink (833-6546)
VISIT: teenlink.org/
This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. No physician-patient relationship is created by this web site or its use. Neither HIPRC, the University of Washington, nor its employees, nor any contributor to this web site, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.
