NCJ Number
191556
Journal
Community College Journal of Research and Practice Volume: 24 Issue: 10 Dated: 2000 Pages: 839-855
Date Published
2000
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This review of literature on violent behavior focuses on two general issues that community college administrators and faculty can use to guide their efforts to counteract the damaging effects of violence on their students’ well-being.
Abstract
First, it is important to be aware that the majority of students have some experience with violence. Considerable research exists to indicate that student’s exposure to violence is associated with both antisocial behavior and psychological trauma (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger, posttraumatic stress disorder). Community colleges can help students who may be experiencing the negative effects of violence by actions such as establishing student support groups and taking accusations of harassment seriously. The second issue involves the steps that community colleges can take to ensure their students’ safety. The analysis recommended that staff address violent threats and ensure that staff become knowledgeable about the warning signs of violent behavior. Community colleges should also develop security plans based on the unique needs of their campuses and should establish a crisis intervention plan. Finally, community colleges should evaluate the violence prevention programs that they implement. 48 references (Author abstract modified)