Say No To Violence In School: Ways To Handle School Violence That Helps Everyone. 

Author: Dimia Smith

For Youth

School should be a place where you can learn and feel safe. Violence at school can be scary, whether it happens to you, to someone you know, or nearby. You do not have to handle it alone, and it is never your job to put yourself in danger to stop someone else.

What school violence can look like

School violence can include hitting, kicking, threats to hurt someone, bringing a weapon to school, or trying to make another person feel afraid or unsafe. Repeated teasing, bullying, and online messages can also make school feel frightening. Sometimes a disagreement starts as an argument and becomes unsafe. Whatever happened, getting help from a trusted adult is a strong and responsible choice.

If someone may get hurt

If violence is happening or you think someone could be hurt soon, move away from the situation and go somewhere safer. Tell the nearest teacher, school staff member, counselor, or other trusted adult right away. Do not try to break up a fight, threaten anyone back, or go closer to a weapon. If you cannot reach an adult and someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Follow your school's safety instructions and do what school staff tell you.

If you hear about a threat

Take threats seriously, even if someone says they were only joking. Tell a trusted adult what you heard, who said it, and when or where it may happen. Share only what you know, and do not spread rumors or post the threat online. If you saw a message, show it to an adult instead of forwarding it to other students.

If someone is being bullied or hurt

You can support the person without putting yourself in danger. Stay near a safe adult, invite the student to come with you, or tell a teacher what you saw. Check in kindly when it is safe, and let them know they deserve help. Do not laugh, cheer, film, or share a video of someone being hurt. Those actions can make the person feel even less safe.

If you feel so angry that you might hurt someone

Step away from the person and anything you could use to hurt them. Go to a trusted adult and tell them plainly, “I’m really angry and I need help calming down.” Taking a break and asking for help does not make you weak. It gives you a chance to keep everyone safe and work out what to do next.

How you can help make school safer

Use words that do not threaten or put people down, and get an adult involved when a problem feels too big to handle. If you have hurt someone, take responsibility and accept help to make things right. Everyone makes choices, and choosing to get help, speak up safely, or treat someone with respect can help prevent more harm.

A reminder about peace

Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Being a peacemaker does not mean stepping into danger or solving everything by yourself. It can mean choosing not to join in, getting a trusted adult, and helping people find safety.

You deserve to feel safe at school. If something is worrying you, tell a trusted adult today, you can also contact Truth In Me Enterprise for support.

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for help from a trusted adult, school staff member, counselor, or emergency services.