Preventing Violence Chapter 7

What is Violence? Violence – the threat of or actual use of physical force against oneself or another person Violence – the threat of or actual use of physical force against oneself or another person Homicide – the intentional killing of one person by another Homicide – the intentional killing of one person by another Victim/Assailant Victim/Assailant With violence, there are costs to the victim, costs to the assailant, and costs to society as a whole. With violence, there are costs to the victim, costs to the assailant, and costs to society as a whole.

Risk Factors for Violence Poverty Poverty Family Violence Family Violence Media Violence Media Violence Availability of Weapons Drug Abuse Membership in Gangs Territorial gangs: groups that are organized to control a specific neighborhood or “turf.”

Violence in Schools Weapons in School: Weapons in School: Harassment: unwanted remarks or actions that cause a person emotional or physical harm Harassment: unwanted remarks or actions that cause a person emotional or physical harm Students who use weapons at school often are acting on the rage they feel as victims of harassment. Students who use weapons at school often are acting on the rage they feel as victims of harassment. Hazing Requiring a person to do a degrading, risky, or illegal acts in order to join a group Sexual Harassment Any uninvited and unwelcome sexual remark or sexual advance (making a comment about someone’s body parts) Spreading rumors about someone’s sexual behavior, telling crude jokes are some examples.

Bullying Bullying – the use of threats or physical force to intimidate and control another person (repeated) Bullying – the use of threats or physical force to intimidate and control another person (repeated) Cyber Bullying – bullying that takes place by e- mail, instant messaging, text messaging, websites, or social media Cyber Bullying – bullying that takes place by e- mail, instant messaging, text messaging, websites, or social media Are you a bystander? What do you think a bystander is? Does bullying go on here at Raritan? Do you think cyberbullying/social media is a problem at Raritan?

Hate Violence: speech or behavior that is aimed at a person or group based on personal characteristics. Prejudice – negative feelings about a group based on stereotypes Prejudice – negative feelings about a group based on stereotypes Stereotype – an exaggerated belief or overgeneralization about an entire group of people Stereotype – an exaggerated belief or overgeneralization about an entire group of people Intolerance – lack of acceptance of another person’s opinions, beliefs, or actions Intolerance – lack of acceptance of another person’s opinions, beliefs, or actions Discrimination – unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice Discrimination – unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice Vandalism – intentionally damaging or destroying another person’s property Vandalism – intentionally damaging or destroying another person’s property

How Fights Start Arguments Arguments Anger, Hurt Pride and Embarassment Anger, Hurt Pride and Embarassment Revenge Revenge Escalate – grow more intense (associated with revenge as a motive for a fight) Escalate – grow more intense (associated with revenge as a motive for a fight) Peer Pressure Peer Pressure Role of friends: instigators vs. bystanders Role of friends: instigators vs. bystanders Control Control

Preventing Fights Ignoring Ignoring Be flexible Be flexible Learn to control your anger Learn to control your anger Confronting a person wisely/properly Confronting a person wisely/properly Choose the time and place carefully Choose the time and place carefully Stay calm Stay calm Negotiate a solution Negotiate a solution Helping others avoid fights Mediation – a process for resolving conflicts that involves a neutral third party Your role as a bystander: Ignore those people who make negative remarks about other people Refuse to spread rumors Do not relay a threat or insult from one person to another Stay away from any area where you expect a fight could take place