Preventing Violence In this lesson, you will Learn About… How violence affects teens. The causes of violence in society. What you can do to avoid becoming a victim of violence. What is being done to prevent violence in schools and communities.

Bell Work What are the steps to conflict resolution?

Standards 4: The student will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

Indicators/ E.Q. What are some ways to avoid a conflict?

Relevance How has violence become a serious problem in the United States and how has it affected your decision making?

Preventing Violence The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are: Assault. Assault Rape. Rape Homicide. Homicide Deliberate injury. Deliberate injury Hate crime. Hate crime Gang. Gang Bully. Bully Neighborhood Watch. Neighborhood Watch

Violence in Society Violence is a major public health problem in the United States. Assault is a physical attach is a threat of an attach for the purpose of inflicting bodily injury. About 2, 510 aggravated assaults (assaults that involve weapons or cause serious physical harm) take place each day. Rape is forced sexual intercourse. Approximately 224 rapes are committed each day. Homicide is a violent crime that results in the death of another individual. Murder is a form of homicide. Approximately 43 people die in homicides each day. Robbery is a completed or attempted theft of property or cash by force or threat of force with a weapon. About 1, 122 armed robberies occur each day. The Daily News Assault is a physical attack or a threat of an attack for the purpose of inflicting bodily injury. Rape is forced sexual intercourse. Homicide is a violent crime that results in the death of another individual. Murder is a form of homicide. Robbery is a completed or attempted theft of property or cash by force or threat of force with a weapon. The Daily News

Teens and Violence The majority of teens are not violent and do not commit crimes. Nevertheless, about one-fourth of all violent crime in the United States is committed by people under the age of 18. Violent crimes often lead to deliberate injury—injury that results when a person intentionally harms another.

Teens and Violence (cont’d.) Teens are also more than twice as likely as people age 25 and older to be victims of violence. Violent Victimization Rates by Age, –15 16–1920–24 25–3434–4950– Source: Bureau of Justice

Causes of Violence People who commit violent acts may not have learned how to cope with feelings such as anger in healthful ways. Other factors that contribute to violence in the community include the following: Prejudice, which may lead to hate crimes.hate crimes Weapons Peer pressure Alcohol and other drugs

Gangs A gang is a group of people who associate with one another to take part in criminal activity. Many teens join gangs because of peer pressure. They may also join gangs to: Overcome their loneliness, boredom, or isolation. Gain respect, power, and friends. Get protection. Be with people of their own racial or ethnic group.

Gangs (cont’d.) To stay clear of gangs: Use refusal skills to avoid getting involved with gangs. Don’t hang out with gang members. You might get blamed for what they do or gradually be drawn into the group. Resist all pressure to do anything illegal. Apply strategies for avoiding weapons. If gang members threaten you, stay calm and don’t overreact. Even if you are afraid, try not to show fear. Walk away calmly. Get help from police, school officials, or other trusted adults.

Protecting Yourself To protect yourself from violence: Do not look like an easy target – Stand up straight, and walk with a confident stride. Do not use alcohol or other drugs – These substances reduce your ability to protect yourself. If someone bothers you, make direct eye contact, and say “Leave me alone” in a firm voice. If you are in physical danger, shout “Fire!” to get other people’s attention. If someone attacks you, get away in any way that you can. If someone demands your money or jewelry, throw it away from you. Then run in the opposite direction.

Safety on the Street At night, walk in lighted areas, and avoid dark alleyways. Avoid walking alone if possible. If you think that someone is following you, go into a store or other public place. Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. Have your keys ready when you reach your front door so that you do not have to fumble for them.

Safety at Home Do not tell unknown callers that you are home alone or give out any personal information over the phone. At home, keep doors and windows locked. Do not open the door for someone you do not know.

Stopping Violence in Schools Below are some ways of stopping violence in schools: Conflict-resolution programs help teens to understand alternatives to violence and teach them to act responsibly in social situations. Peer mediation helps students to work out problems. Dress codes can help to play down the economic differences among students and make it harder for gang members to wear special identifiers. Metal detectors, security cameras, and guards can help keep weapons out of schools.

What to Do if Someone Wants to Fight You may be in control of your emotions, but when someone else is looking for a fight, you need to think fast. The person may be angry with you or may simply be a bully.bully

What to Do if Someone Wants to Fight (cont’d.) If you see signs of trouble, do the following: Exercise self-control. Do something unexpected to divert the other person’s attention. Use humor. Give the other person a way out. Try to understand what the other person thinks, feels, or needs. Do not: Let the other person force you to fight. Let your emotions throw you off balance. Try to even the score. Tease or be hostile, threatening, insulting, rude, or sarcastic.

Violence Prevention — Stopping Violence in Communities Below are strategies that communities may use to make their neighborhoods safer: More police on the streets Neighborhood Watch programs Neighborhood Watch After-school programs Improved lighting in parks and playgrounds Tougher laws

Reviewing Terms and Facts 1.Define the terms assault, rape, homicide, and hate crime. An assault is a physical attack or a threat of an attack for the purpose of inflicting bodily injury. Rape is forced sexual intercourse. A homicide is a violent crime that results in the death of another individual. A hate crime is an illegal act against someone just because he or she is a member of a particular group.

Reviewing Terms and Facts 2.What are four factors that may contribute to violence in society? Prejudice Weapons Peer pressure Alcohol and other drugs

Thinking Critically 3.If you were walking home in the evening, what precautions would you take? In the evening, walk in lighted areas; avoid dark alleyways. If you think someone is following you, go into a store or other public place. Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers. Have your keys ready when you reach your front door so that you do not have to fumble for them.

Vocabulary Review An assault is a physical attack or a threat of an attack for the purpose of inflicting bodily injury.

Vocabulary Review Rape is forced sexual intercourse.

Vocabulary Review Homicide is a violent crime that results in the death of another individual.

Vocabulary Review A deliberate injury is an injury that results when one person intentionally harms another.

Vocabulary Review A hate crime is an illegal act against someone just because he or she is a member of a particular group.

Vocabulary Review A gang is a group of people who associate with one another to take part in criminal activity.

Vocabulary Review A bully is someone who uses threats, taunts, or violence to intimidate people who appear helpless.

Vocabulary Review A Neighborhood Watch is a widespread crime-prevention effort undertaken by residents of a particular segment of the community.