Workplace violence

After addressing Mental Health Awareness and next steps last month, we will focus on understanding workplace violence in schools and colleges and how to prepare to possibly prevent it.

Educational institutions are not immune to violence. Workplace violence can range from minor incidents of conflict to severe acts of aggression, including harassment, bullying, assault, fights, even homicide or mass shootings.

Another type of student victimization that is important to understand is bullying. The involvement of young bullying victims in recent suicides and school shootings has also heightened concerns regarding the public health implications of bullying.

The rate of reported forcible sex offenses on college campus increased from 1.7 incidents per 10,000 students in 2009 to 8.0 incidents per 10,000 students in 2019. Forcible sex offenses constituted 43 percent of all criminal incidents reported on campus in 2019.

In the first 110 days of the school year, one school district in Nevada recorded 7,418 violent events, a category that includes fighting and bullying. That is the most in five years and an 8% increase from 2018-19, officials said.

There is a huge increase in assaults on teachers and school administrators share that in some school districts it is quite hard to recruit teachers as they are afraid of potential assaults.

Fourteen percent of teachers reported facing physical violence from students in a nationwide American Psychological Association survey of nearly 15,000 school employees from July 2020 to June 2021.This data is alarming especially since this is during Covid when many campuses were closed. One-third of surveyed teachers reported they experienced at least one incident of verbal and/or threatening violence from students (e.g., verbal threats, cyber bullying, intimidation, sexual harassment) and 29% reported at least one incident from a parent of a student.

Almost half of all teachers reported they desire or plan to quit or transfer their jobs due to concerns about school climate and school safety.

“We are witnessing the highest levels of frequency, severity and complexity for these kinds of assault claims when compared to the last four complete school calendar years,” said Greg McKenna, public-sector practice leader at Gallagher Bassett.

From September 2022 through May 2023 the number of assault-related workers’ compensation claims filed at some 2,000 schools in different regions of the U.S. topped 1,350, a five-year high, according to claims and risk-management services firm Gallagher Bassett.

Many educators cite unmet mental-health needs and social disruption during the pandemic as causes. Others partly blame a shift to disciplinary practices they say create a sense of impunity among students by de-emphasizing traditional punishment for misconduct.

Prevention is better than cure. We look at best practices from around the world, providing you with tools to create a safe work environment. From promoting a positive work culture to implementing robust safety protocols, we have you covered.

Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence in Schools and Colleges:

Comprehensive Safety Policies: Establish clear and comprehensive policies that address workplace violence, including student conduct, disciplinary procedures, and staff interactions. Communicate these policies to all stakeholders and ensure their enforcement.

Student Behavioral Intervention: Implement systems and protocols for identifying and addressing early signs of aggressive behavior or potential violence among students. Provide counseling services, mentorship programs, and intervention strategies to support students and address underlying issues.

Training and Education: Provide training to staff, teachers, and administrators on recognizing warning signs, managing conflict, and de-escalation techniques. Training should also cover emergency response procedures, including lockdown drills and active shooter scenarios.

Security Measures: Enhance physical security measures in schools, including controlled access points, surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and security personnel. There are also video analytics capabilities like weapons detection and license plate recognition that can help prevent major incidents. Regularly assess security vulnerabilities and make necessary improvements.

Threat Assessment Teams: Establish multidisciplinary teams comprising school administrators, teachers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement representatives to assess threats and develop intervention plans.

Anonymous Reporting Systems: Implement confidential reporting systems that allow students, staff, and community members to report concerns or potential threats without fear of reprisal. Ensure a prompt and appropriate response to all reports.

Mental Health Support: Offer mental health resources, counseling services, and intervention programs for students and staff. Foster a supportive environment that promotes positive mental well-being and addresses the underlying issues that may contribute to violence.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Develop strong relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Conduct joint training exercises, establish communication protocols, and ensure a coordinated response to potential threats or violent incidents.

Parent and Community Involvement: Engage parents, guardians, and the broader community in promoting a safe and supportive school environment. Encourage open lines of communication and involve them in violence prevention efforts.

Post-Incident Support: Provide support services to students, staff, and the affected community following a violent incident. This may include counseling, trauma-informed care, and community healing initiatives.

By implementing proactive measures, fostering a supportive environment, and involving all stakeholders, schools and colleges can work toward preventing and effectively managing workplace violence. Ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the broader educational community is of paramount importance.