NCJ Number
150935
Date Published
1994
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article describes steps in planning and implementing a violence awareness program in Canadian public schools, so as to identify the school-related issues with respect to family violence and to focus staff development toward those areas.
Abstract
The program plan was to develop a school-based response to family violence and related issues. At Lorne Avenue School, a committee of staff members volunteered to formulate a school response. The committee set goals, identified issues, and composed an action plan. The committee developed goals to implement a week-long program that would focus on violence awareness in society, in the media, and in the home. Other goals specified were the formulation of a school response to aid staff when disclosures of family violence are made, the development of a proactive social skills curriculum with respect to alternatives to violence, and the identification of school-related issues with respect to family violence. During the development of the school plan, the roles of the school and the teacher were discussed. One section of this article presents the information important for any public awareness of family violence. Elements of the action plan are briefly discussed. They include the establishment of school objectives, invitations to key speakers, and the presentation to school staff of tentative ideas for the violence awareness week. Efforts were also made to involve the community in the program. Suggestions for school activities during violence awareness week include curriculum ideas, writing exercises, drama, reading, math, art, physical education, music, wall charts, and follow-up activities. 17 references