After Tragedy - To Stop School Violence
The Miami Herald October 18, 2009

The notion that violence in schools is random -- and therefore cannot be stopped -- is flawed. Scientific research informs schools and other institutions about what they can do to minimize violent acts.

Following the recent tragedy at Coral Gables High school, several other incidents that could have become equally violent occurred. Most of these incidents were thwarted by the vigilance of school personnel, peers and parents.

We do know what does and does not work when it comes to preventing school violence. Let's look at what the research tells us: The Secret Service did a study of the research-based best practices after the Columbine shootings in Colorado that helped shape some of the current recommendations for promoting a safe school environment. Observations found that children who attack can be any age and from any ethnic group, race or family situation. Contrary to assumptions that some of our youth just snap, they don't. They plan.

Inform an adult

The findings emphasize the importance of paying attention and listening to young people. More than a handful of adults -- parents, teachers, school administrators and counselors, coaches and members of law enforcement -- can make an important contribution to and play a key role in preventing violence on school grounds. Most important, educating students to tell an adult if another peer is contemplating violence is a key deterrent.

Most incidents were not resolved by law-enforcement intervention. More than half of the attacks ended before law enforcement responded to the scene despite its usual prompt response. In these cases, faculty or fellow students stopped the attacker, or the attacker stopped on his own or committed suicide. Many of the incidents lasted 20 minutes or less.

Schools can make the best use of resources by working with law enforcement on prevention efforts as well as critical incident-response plans.

In a number of cases, bullying played a key role in the decision to attack. A number of attackers had experienced long-standing and severe bullying and harassment. Bullying appeared to play a major role in motivating the attack at school. Bullying was not a factor in every case, and not every child who is bullied in school poses a risk. However, in a number of cases attackers described experiences of being bullied in terms that approached torment.

Help students cope

A significant problem in preventing school violence is determining how best to respond to students who are already known to be in trouble. Scientific studies indicate the importance of giving attention to students who are having difficulty coping with major losses or perceived failures, particularly when feelings of desperation and hopelessness are involved.

We commend the efforts of Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, mayors and other public officials who responded in the aftermath of the most recent spate of incidents. We are hopeful that a community coalition can approach the problem of youth violence in a cooperative and constructive manner.

The Melissa Institute stands ready to be a partner in the process and offers its expertise to the community as we always have whenever community violence issues have emerged.

Parents expect that when they entrust their most precious gifts -- their children -- to a school or public institution, those children will come home safe and sound. Schools and community agencies have a responsibility to provide a setting that is as safe as we can make it regardless of the cost. Our goal is to help ensure that not one more life is lost to violence in school.

Suzanne L Keeley, Ph.D.,
President, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment, Miami