School violence : the role of families, communities, educators and school counsellors

Abstract

School violence is defined as anything that makes a student afraid to come to, and stay at school (Macdonald, 1996). Media reports of the suicides of children who were the victims of bullying, school shooting rampages in Littleton, Colorado and Tabor, Alberta, and the beating death of Rena Virk have brought the problem of school violence to the forefront. What follows is a series of three papers that attempt to inform school counsellors, and others working in the school system, about school violence and the actions that may be taken to ensure that every student is provided a safe learning environment. Paper one describes the current views held about youth and school violence. This includes a discussion of the forms, perpetrators, incidence, and risk factors for violence. Paper two concentrates on the prevention and intervention measures that can be implemented at the family, community and school levels. Finally, paper three focuses on the role the guidance counsellor can play in the school environment to help make it a safer place for students to learn.