3 Ways Schools Are Addressing The Root Causes Of Violence

The CDC defines school violence as “violent acts in a school setting that disrupt learning and have a negative effect on students, schools, and the broader community.” Despite schools spending more money on school safety than ever before, data shows that nearly 70 percent of schools report at least one violent incident every year.  

Increasingly, experts believe that successful violence prevention starts with proactively addressing the root causes of violence as opposed to having a reactive, disciplinary system. In fact, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that schools around the country that have taken this approach have seen more success than schools that continue to mitigate the side effects of violent incidents after they happen.  

Here are three ways that schools have addressed the root causes of violence within their institutions, as opposed to simply reacting to it.   

Community and Family Involvement  

Increasingly, experts and studies suggest that violence often starts at home. One key strategy that has shown promising results in addressing the root causes of violence in schools is the implementation of programs heavily emphasizing community and family involvement. These approaches not only recognize the interconnected nature of a student’s home life and behavior, but acknowledge that violence is often learned from a child’s domestic situation. 

According to studies by the University of Washington and the National Institutes of Health, there is a direct correlation between violent home life and violent students. In fact, statistics from the Office of Justice Programs estimate that:

• 70 percent of children in foster homes have been exposed to a traumatic experience at home
• Children exposed to violence are 3.3 times more likely to engage in it as a juvenile
• Children exposed to violence are more likely to be victims of violence and have academic difficulties
• More than 3 million children witness domestic violence in America every year

Two crucial aspects of community and family involvement programs include communication and support, especially for students who’ve been exposed to violence. By offering targeted, structured support through programs such as therapy and counseling, schools can address the root causes of such domestic struggles, helping students navigate their difficulties in healthier ways and informing them what a safe home should look like. 

Creating a collaborative network between the school and the student's family is also of paramount importance. When educators and parents work together, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of a student's needs and challenges. Ensuring effective communication makes sure that everyone involved is on the same page regarding a student's well-being. Regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, and open channels of communication contribute to a supportive environment where challenges can be identified and addressed proactively. 

Increase in Support Programs 

As mentioned above, multifaceted support is one of the most important aspects of addressing the root causes of school violence. Extra support doesn’t just mean hiring more school resource officers (SROs) or counselors, but means providing students with academic, emotional, and behavioral support programs tailored to the unique needs of each student. According to Everytown Research, schools that have proactive, not reactive violence prevention solutions are seeing the most success, and that begins in many cases with increased school support systems.  

It is important to approach support holistically, considering the overlap of academic, mental, and social factors in each student's life. By investing in comprehensive support systems, even with school grant funding, schools can create a learning environment where every student feels valued, understood, and equipped to overcome their personal challenges, thereby mitigating the risk of school violence.