Recognizing Violence Against Others

General Facts:

• The best predictor of violent behavior is past violent behavior (i.e. violence against self or others, history of family violence, physical abuse as a child)
• The risk of violence is about five times higher when substance use and abuse is involved than when it is not.

Signs of Possible Danger:

• Verbal or physical hostility (i.e. overt angry behavior), including verbal or physical threats, angry outbursts, loud and confrontational language
• Escalating angry, aggressive, hostile, or agitated behavior
• Suspiciousness or paranoia (hyper-vigilance, delusional speech content)
• Fearfulness, expressed helplessness or hopelessness
• Access to a weapon

Early Warning Signs:

• Increased substance use
• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Increased social withdrawal
• Increased irritability, impatience
• Increased absenteeism or lateness
• Diminished personal hygiene and self-care
• Diminished concentration, problem-solving ability, decision-making ability, judgement
• Diminished cooperation
• Decreased productivity, energy, motivation

Triggering events:

Often there are a series of events in an individual's life which "trigger" violent behavior. These include any event which the individual perceives as a serious loss or threat of loss, such as:

• Loss of a loved one (death, break-up)
• Physical threat to self or a loved one
• Loss or threat of loss of something highly valued (e.g. a job; an anticipated or desired accomplishment or "victory")
• Feeling unfairly deprived of something valued, especially if no recourse appears to be available to the individual
• Feeling frustrated or ignored

Some Reasons for Violence:

• To release feelings of anger or frustration, helplessness or hopelessness
• To control others or to get something
• To retaliate against those perceived to have been hurtful

Some Reasons for Work Place Violence:

• Job insecurity
• Oppressive work environment
• Few (or no) channels for appropriate expression of anger or other feelings
• Few (or no) channels for appropriate resolution of conflicts
• Feeling devalued, demeaned
• Job stress; feeling overwhelmed

Proactive Steps:

• Be familiar with the University's work place violence policy and student code of conduct
• Consult University Police to establish a work place safety plan and to provide a workshop on work place violence
• Be familiar with effective listening and helping skills
• Talk to the student/employee in a caring manner (objectively share what has been observed, without evaluation; express concerns regarding the employee and involved others; offer to listen and assist, if possible)
• Refer the individual to the Counseling Center or the Employee Assistance Program
• Document the earliest and ongoing misconduct or reasons for concern
• Involve (or consult with) appropriate authorities as early as possible - immediate supervisor, dean, department head, Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Human Resources, University Police
• Consult with the Counseling Center , the Employee Assistance Program , Human Resources, or Victim's Advocacy Program

When to involve University Police:

• Student/employee is acting in a threatening manner
• Student/employee is making specific threats to hurt others (including a threat to explode a bomb)
• Student/employee's actions have caused harm to others
• Student/employee displays a weapon
• Student/employee initiates violent behavior (including throwing, hitting or destroying objects)
• Student/employee kidnaps or takes others hostage
• Student/employee creates or threatens to create a hazardous condition in the work place
• Student/employee is engaging in stalking behaviors

In event of imminent danger or violent incident:

• Call 9-1-1
• Seek assistance for persons needing care

What to Do In a Dangerous Situation:

• Try to remain calm and to calm the student/employee (calm voice)
• Try to appear confident and in control
• Express a willingness to discuss the person's concerns
• Maintain a poised posture
• Avoid physical contact
• Avoid getting emotionally or personally drawn in
• Avoid behavioral gestures (these might be misinterpreted)
• Provide an exit route for you and the student (do not be between the person and the door)
• Attempt to remove the student/employee from the situation if others are in danger (e.g. ask a student to step outside the classroom; suggest meeting after class)
• If the student refuses to calm down or leave, and/or any danger appears to exist, dismiss the class
• State possible consequences for behavior (but not threats)
• Discuss options and alternatives
• Notify University Police/Call 911 (Later, give detailed report to University Police)

Following the Incident:

• Initiate corrective actions
• Seek assistance from the Counseling Center, the Employee Assistance Program, and/or Victims Advocacy
• Set up a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for all affected individuals within 48 - 72 hours (to insure accurate communication, accelerate individual and group recovery, and enhance group cohesion)
• Refer affected individuals to on-campus and off-campus resources for individual assistance

For more information, see Campus Resources