School violence is also a part of violence in today’s youth. There have been many findings in the news about violence happening inside schools today. It is stated that about three million students become victims of school violence. School violence generally starts around the ages of eleven and twelve, particularly in middle school. A solution must be found that can be exercised in school systems around the world. Discipline must be enforced and school administrators must take an active part in consequences for inappropriate behavior.

One of the top causes of school violence is bullying. When children are bullied and have no one to talk to or to help them, they resort to violent solutions that they usually execute in their own school. The massacre at Columbine High School is a perfect example. The culprits were two isolated teenagers who were teased for the way that they wore their hair and how they dressed. The constant torments and the other students’ exclusive behavior towards them led to the two outcasts deciding to bring weapons to school to physically harm the people who had emotionally scarred them.
When students have problems in their homes such as abusive or neglectful parents, they become emotionally unstable. A random student could say the ‘wrong thing’ to the ‘wrong student’ and it could cost them their life. These victims of abusive parental relationships bottle up their emotions. These emotions can be released at any time, taking the entire school by surprise.
Young people may feel that they have to bring violence to school because of the lack of support at home. They may repeatedly attempt to talk to their parents or another family member, but do not receive the support they desire. They go to school and continue to feel the same way because their friends, teachers and counselors just do not thoroughly understand them and therefore ignore their attempts to find help.

Statistics show that there are similar effects when it comes to young people who have been victims of school violence. Some of them have disturbances while they sleep; including nightmares, difficulties staying asleep, and urinating on themselves. Victims may have excessive absences from school, fear of being alone and paranoia. They may also suffer from hyper-vigilance. Some symptoms of hyper-vigilance are sensitivity, being easily startled and physical health complaints. Students that are targeted in school violence develop an aggressive behavior, angry outbursts and regression. Regression sometimes occurs and causes them to lose the skills that they had learned over time. These skills may be academic or athletic. Victims may show a loss of interest in the things they have always valued or enjoyed.

There are many things that the students, parents and educators can do to prevent school violence. Students can get involved in community activities that can distract them from letting small issues at school become bigger, more violent issues. It is also wise for students not to carry any sort of weapon. By carrying a weapon, one has the option of using it. When that option is available, a simple confrontation can become a fatal mishap. Due to the fact that alcohol and drugs are often a driving force for violence, avoiding them is imperative. When students’ minds are sober, they tend to make more responsible decisions. Students can also show more citizenship by reporting any possible acts of violence of which they are aware .

Schools can take the initiative to improve the security and the physical maintenance of the school. There should be armed police officers and security guards. A cleaner environment provides a safer environment; therefore, the upkeep of the school is very essential in keeping a school violence-free. The school should also promote non-violence through assemblies, meetings and propaganda. All of these minor adjustments will illustrate an administrative support system for the students and hence promote non-violence .
It would also be wise for the school administrators to eliminate “blind spots” in school corridors. These “blind spots” include places where there is little or no supervision. These areas provide a place for students to plot and carry out acts of violence including vandalism, bullying and other offenses. There should have sufficient lighting, shatter- resistant windows and doors. The windows should also be properly secured. This will help to secure these “blind spots” .

Schools can also set up a system that would encourage students to report acts of violence. In addition, the administrators must keep up with the reports in order for the system to accurately prevent violence in schools. Keeping annual records would also help with providing accurate evidence in the decrease or increase of school violence. The relationship between the school and local law enforcement should be established. This relationship will illustrate to the student body that illegal acts will not be tolerated and will be punishable.
Many faculty members find themselves in situations in which they are in the middle of a fistfight, brawl or some other altercation. School faculty should be trained for these circumstances. They must be very familiar with the school rules and policies so they will be able to enforce them.