The Childrens Issues
School Violence*
National experts on violence discuss the causes of school violence and how to work with children, families, and schools to understand and prevent these tragedies.
Program Description
The prevalence of violence in our schools is a national tragedy and embarrassment. Who can explain the Littleton, Colorado, shootings and other tragedies in which children have been murdered by other school children? Yet, as mental health professionals, people turn to us for answers.
In these interviews, we’ll hear national experts discuss the causes of violence in children, how to begin to deal with our “toxic” culture, how to manage engaging parents and assessing violence in children, how to work with families of murder victims and prevent compassion fatigue, and how to teach skills for dealing with aggressive, bullying children.
Learning Objectives
This program provides clinicians with the opportunity to:
Recognize the age in childhood by which patterns of aggressive behavior and belief are forming that can continue into adulthood.
Identify the core issue in child abuse and neglect.
Understand the meaning of terminal thinking.
Appreciate the role of genetics and toxic social environments in violent behavior
Recognize the primary forces that can reduce the threat of violence.
Interviews
Assessment - Robert Galatzer-Levy, M.D.
What should we do when presented with a case of a potentially violent child? Certainly we shouldn't assume their behavior and fantasies are understandable and not of concern (as one of the Columbine counselors is reputed to have done). We turn to Dr. Robert Galatzer-Levy, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst of children, adolescents and adults, for clear and direct advice on what to do and not to do in assessing for violence.
Bully-proofing - William Porter, PhD
We conclude this program on school violence on a very hopeful note — a prevention program that really works. Bullies once were considered an inevitable fact of school life. Today, experts are absorbing the revelation that bullying is more common and consequential than previously realized. Now, we know the victims can turn violent too. A group of Denver psychologists and social workers have devised a bully-proofing system. They realized the only way to neutralize bullies is to lessen their opportunities. The best way to do that is to empower potential victims with behavioral strategies and back them up with a supportive school community. In the forefront of this movement is Dr. William Porter. Currently, he is working on developing a safe climate for children in school and communities through his authoring of “Bully-Proofing Your Schools,” a program which trains personnel and develops character in students. His efforts have received both local and national acclaim.
Children Who Kill - James Garborino, Ph.D.
Dr. Garbarino, author of Lost Boys, discusses the reasons for the emergence of aggressive behavior in children. He discusses why our society is toxic and gives suggestions for making an adolescent intervention program effective.
Families of Homicide Victims -
Learn how to work with families of murder victims and prevent compassion fatigue.
“These programs are excellent. Barbara Alexander is very well-read and asks excellent questions.”
... Ona H.
MSW