CSPV
School Violence Fact Sheets
How
Students Can Avoid School Victimization
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- The buddy system–teaming up with other students
while passing through high risk areas on the school
campus–is a good idea for students who have
been threatened or who are fearful of victimization.
- Students need to be carefully aware of their surroundings
as they walk to and from school. They should travel
to and from school with other students.
- Telling is not tattling. Students need to immediately
inform school officials of any bullying, victimizations,
and/or threats. This information can help officials
in making policies which can help prevent further
victimizations.
- Students who are being intimidated should stay close
to teachers on duty at lunch time, at recess, and/or
during free periods.
- Students should walk away from other students who
are being verbally aggressive. They should seek help
from a friend or an adult.
- Students should keep parents and school counselors
informed of any concerns regarding potential threats
or dangers at school. This can help a student feel
safer and can engage more prevention activities between
parents and school personnel.
- Students should stand up for themselves by being
assertive but not aggressive with potential victimizers.
- Students should be encouraged to make friends and
socialize with others their own age. This can help
prevent being singled out by bullies.
- Enrolling in violence prevention classes can teach
students the protective skills needed to avoid threatening
situations, including recognizing danger and critical
thinking decision making. Prevention classes can also
teach skills in conflict resolution and peer mediation.
- Learning refusal skills is a valuable violence prevention
strategy. Using refusal skills to combat negative
peer pressure is an important ability for students.
Without these skills students may find themselves
involved with the wrong crowd, which increases the
risk for problem behavior as well as victimization.
- Learning self defense can also help students avoid
victimization. Weaponless self defense sports such
as karate, judo, and jujitsu are excellent options
for becoming skillful in self defense.
- Students should dress in a non-controversial manner,
avoiding gang-related apparel and provocative clothing.
- Gang membership increases risk of victimization.
Students should avoid any involvement with gangs.
- Students should avoid the use of drugs and alcohol
and/or socializing with peer groups that utilize these
substances, both of which increase victimization risk.
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