Violence as a Disruptor of Education
Exposure to any type of violence (such as bullying, gun violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and others) can harm well-being and disrupt learning.[] It can also make a child more likely to bully others or carry weapons, adding to the cycle of violence.[] Threat of violence leads to frequent absences in school[], reducing access to education.[][] Dating and sexual violence can occur in all educational environments and at all ages. Prevention includes age-appropriate education on emotional awareness, healthy decisions, relationships, and bystander intervention.[,]
[VED36] Johnson, S. L. (2009). Improving the school environment to Reduce School Violence: A review of the literature. Journal of School Health, 79(10), 451–465. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00435.x
[VED37] McGaha-Garnett, V. (2013). The Effects of Violence on Academic Progress and Classroom Behavior: From a Parent’s Perspective. VISTAS Online. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/the-effects-of-violence-on-academic-progress-and-classroom-behavior.pdf
[VED38] Warner, B. S., Weist, M. D., & Krulak, A. (1999). Risk factors for school violence. Urban Education, 34(1), 52–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085999341004
[VED39] Akiba, Motoko. (2010). What Predicts Fear of School Violence Among US Adolescents?. Teachers College Record. 112. 68-102. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/016146811011200110?journalCode=tcza
[VED40] Borofsky, L. A., Kellerman, I., Baucom, B., Oliver, P. H., & Margolin, G. (2013). Community violence exposure and adolescents’ school engagement and academic achievement over time. Psychology of Violence, 3(4), 381–395. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034121
[VED41] Bowen, N. K. & Bowen, G. L. (1999). Effects of Crime and Violence in Neighborhoods and Schools on the School Behavior and Performance of Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 14(3), 319-342. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558499143003
[VED45] Crooks, C. V., Jaffe, P., Dunlop, C., Kerry, A., & Exner-Cortens, D. (2018). Preventing gender-based violence among adolescents and young adults: Lessons from 25 years of program development and evaluation. Violence Against Women, 25(1), 29–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801218815778
[VED72] Absenteeism is how much a student misses school. Chronic absenteeism (missing more than 18 days of school) makes it harder to learn enough to complete the year successfully.
[VED74] Bystander intervention is when people notice that a situation might be harmful and do something to help.