NCJ Number
190486
Journal
Campus Safety Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 8 Dated: September 2001 Pages: 22-24
Date Published
September 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article considers how to assess the true intent of a student's verbal threat.
Abstract
Relying on a zero-tolerance approach to intervention in the case of a student's threat has the potential to make a school administration look foolish, if not mean-spirited. In order to analyze facts in a rational rather than an emotionally reactive manner, the article suggests consideration of the context in which a threat was expressed, the content of the threat, and whether the student who made the threat has a history of antisocial behavior. While there is no foolproof way to predict violence, there are some common characteristics of students who have lashed out aggressively in the past. The characteristics include: (1) threats of violence expressed verbally or in writing; (2) intense hatred for individuals or groups; (3) writings or drawings that reflect anger, frustration, violence, or turmoil; (4) weapons preoccupation; (5) anger control difficulties; (6) substance abuse problems; (7) peer group affiliations that are antisocial, negative, or extreme; (8) mood swings or depression; (9) ostracism and/or bullying by classmates; (10) violent themes preoccupation; (11) lack of empathy and remorse; and (12) suicidal ideation.