Posted by Scott on February 13th, 2008 — Posted in School Safety
I just read an interesting report on ScienceDaily about the increased danger for young college women who drink alcohol. Basically, the research shows that females who drink more in their first year of college have a higher chance of experiencing victimization than the females who do not drink.
The research also shows that new drinkers had a greater chance of physical victimization. To me, that implies that females who drank in high-school and college have less of a chance of experiencing physical victimization during college than females who drank less in high-school. I agree with the researchers, who speculated that new drinkers have less social experience and have less physical tolerance for alcohol, both of which increase the new drinkers’ impairment and vulnerability.
Statistically speaking, I think the study may mislead some people into thinking it shows that drinking causes the increased chance of victimization. As far as I can tell, it only seems to actually show a correlation between drinking and victimization, but it does not show that drinking necessarily causes the victimization. In other words, perhaps women who have a higher tendency to put themselves in dangerous situation also have a higher tendency to drink, but the drinking may not actually cause their dangerous behavior.
Nonetheless, if I had to guess, I would assume that both cause each other. I would guess that drinking will cause people to more often make dangerous decisions, and that people who make dangerous decisions will more often choose to drink.
Regardless, I think parents need to teach their children about drinking and social responsibility, both in high-school and in college. Additionally, schools and colleges can educate students about drinking and its effects. This will help the students make better decisions. Hopefully, more of the students will choose to abstain from drinking or drink less, and the others will know how to drink more wisely and safely.
I also think lowering the drinking age would help greatly. Almost no people wait until they turn 21 to drink, and the ones that do usually do not drink much at all anyway. By having the drinking age absurdly high, young adults must hide their drinking. They binge drink more because of that, I believe. Also, they do it without adult supervision and without adults even knowing. It creates a communication gap between adults and the students, which means the young adults do not get advice or help when they may need it most. I think lowering the drinking age to 18 or even maybe 16 would do wonders to help parents and schools teach students responsibility when it comes to drinking.
What do you think?
1 Comment »
Posted by Scott on November 14th, 2007 — Posted in School Safety
I do not remember ever having any self-defense conferences or events while in grade school. We had a lot of conferences, some memorable ones about fire safety or not dropping out, but none about self-defense.
I would like to see self-defense conferences at schools. From elementary school all the way through high-school, I think such conferences would help protect children and reduce the staggering rates of teen violence. Young females especially need to learn how to defend themselves from sexual assault and rape.
Many children do not think about violence and victimization until it is too late. They do not realize that the best defense is avoidance and prevention.
Self-defense conferences could teach the children how to stay safe and avoid getting in violent conflicts. They could teach the children how to prevent attacks. They could teach children how to resolve conflicts and other problems before the conflicts or problems escalate and result in the child getting hurt. For example, in many cases children have an opportunity to seek help from an adult before a situation turns into violent victimization. For another example, simply choosing to not go to the wrong party alone could be the difference between safety and victimization.
Of course, the conferences could also give kids some physical self-defense tips for when all else fails. These can include ways to incapacitate an attacker and get away, for example.
What do you think?
9 Comments »
Posted by Scott on August 31st, 2007 — Posted in School Safety
Most colleges offer classes about self-defense and victimization awareness. Classes can vary from hands-on training of self-defense moves to sit-down classes that discuss such acts as sexual assault and rape in a more academic light. These classes can teach students how to avoid danger, prevent victimization, and if all else fails physically defend themselves.
Usually, these classes will give the student credit. I suggest students try to take them. Why not accrue college credits while learning about self-defense?
If your school or university does not offer such classes, I suggest you ask them to start.
What do you think?
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Posted by Scott on April 22nd, 2007 — Posted in School Safety
In addition to supporting those who have been affected by the massacre at Virgina Tech, we need to find ways to prevent future school slayings. To that end, I have included some facts about school slayings.
The U.S. Secret Service, in their ground-breaking report, “Safe School Initiative,” produced in the aftermath of Columbine, determined the following 10 findings that perhaps can provide crucial insights about preventing possible future acts of school violence:
Incidents of targeted violence at school rarely are sudden, impulsive acts.
Prior to most incidents, other people knew about the attacker’s idea and/or plan to attack.
Most attackers did not threaten their targets directly prior to advancing the attack.
There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engaged in targeted school violence.
Most attackers engaged in some behavior prior to the incident that caused others concern or indicated a need for help.
Most attackers had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures. Moreover, many had considered or attempted suicide.
Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured by others prior to the attack.
Most attackers had access to and had used weapons prior to the attack.
In many cases, other students were involved in some capacity.
Despite prompt law enforcement responses, most shooting incidents were stopped by means other than law enforcement intervention.
For more information on this comprehensive school safety report, go to www.secretservice.gov.
In addition, the National School Safety Center (NSSC) has come up with a perceptive checklist of the common characteristics of youths, based on past school violence incidents, which may indicate a young person’s potential for harming themselves or others:
Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts.
Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing or abusive language.
Habitually makes violent threats when angry.
Has previously brought a weapon to school.
Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community.
Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency.
Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends.
Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives or other incendiary devices.
Has previously been truant, suspended or expelled from school.
Displays cruelty to animals. *** Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult.
Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home.
Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children.
Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems s/he causes her/himself.
Consistently prefers TV shows, movies or music expressing violent themes and acts.
Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes, rituals and abuse.
Reflects anger, frustration and the dark side of life in school essays or writing projects.
Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance.
Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings.
Has threatened or attempted suicide.
For more information on this NSSC checklist, go to www.schoolsafety.us.
What do you think?
1 Comment »
Posted by Scott on April 20th, 2007 — Posted in School Safety
The AP reports on violence prevention tips offered by Kansas State:
Kansas State University is passing on tips to everyone so another incident like Virginia Tech doesn’t happen again.
They say the first thing you can do is pay attention to the people around you.
Learning to recognize calls for help like changes in behavior is important.
Second- institutions must have a plan of action that includes safety and communications.
And third- take action.
If you see a problem address it or tell someone who can so the person can get the help they need.
It all seems so common-sense, but unfortunately we continue to see seemingly preventable incidents like this happen. Why?
What do you think?
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Posted by Scott on February 21st, 2007 — Posted in School Safety
Ruby Aragon writes about the danger for students on college campuses:
College campuses are full of learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Unfortunately, college campuses can also be very dangerous – especially for young students who thrive on their new-found independence which often brings with it an “It won’t happen to me” attitude.
College students are at risk. It’s important to remember that the college campus itself can be a dangerous place. First of all, campuses are often open to the public which means virtually anyone can be on the campus at anytime. Second, the large concentration of people on the campus makes them prime areas for predators to find victims. Last, college students often travel to and from study groups, class and the library late at night.
She also offers the following self-defense tips:
- Know where the emergency call boxes are and know how to use them to call for help if something does happen.
- Avoid traveling alone. If that is not possible, inform a roommate or friend where you’ll be and when you’ll be home.
- Avoid wearing headphones. Wearing headphones prevents you from being completely aware of your surroundings and makes you more vulnerable to an attack.
- Stay prepared. Carry your identification, you cell phone and even pepper spray (and know how to use it).
Ruby started RubyStone Enterprises to help keep you and your family safe and secure. RubyStone.com offers a wide range of Free Safety tips, Newsletters, free guides as well as the very latest in unique safety and security products.
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Posted by Scott on November 20th, 2006 — Posted in School Safety
Bob Renzi believes that teachers represent the first and best line of defense against school violence.
While several school shootings, including the murders of several Amish school children in the central part of the state recently, make the news, Renzi believes teachers can learn to prevent some tragedies. He said reports of school violence have made people more aware of the potential for danger and more interested in preventing it.
“I really don’t think schools know what to do to prevent potentially fatal violent acts,” he said. “I always believed your teachers are your first line of protection in the schools. They are the majority of the employees in all schools, and training them is essential in life-threatening situations
“A combat course is also more fun and can also be helpful to protect one against everyday street attacks that occur,” Renzi said. “Don’t water it down by calling it self-defense. To protect yourself against life-threatening attacks and threats, you need military-style combatives. They are easy to learn, simple to execute, quickly retained and very effective.”
He would like to see hands-on defensive classes become part of in-service days. Such skills could protect large numbers of students.
“If you have a lot of teachers trained, in a terroristic attack, you have a better chance than with one or two security guards that may be in another part of the building,” Renzi said.
Read entire Tribune-Review article.
I agree that teachers have the most influence on and dangerous situation. Luckily, schools can use more than one method of defense. For example, a school can educate its teachers and hire security guards.
What do you think?
2 Comments »
