School violence is an ongoing and growing concern across all states in America. It feels like we’ve become accustomed to news of mass shootings in educational establishments. It’s an issue in desperate need of solving. Violence in schools has the potential to have damaging effects on students and their learning outcomes and could effect people for generations.
This detailed guide explores the latest statistics and causes of school violence. We also review the most effective methods of preventing violent incidents, and we share how our own expertise and insights here at Triton Sensors have helped tackle anti-social behavior in schools.
Let’s begin with a definition.
What Is School Violence?
The phrase “school violence” covers all actions and types of behavior that harm, intimidate, threaten or negatively impact students, teachers or staff within schools.
This broad definition covers an array of behaviors and incidents, such as:
- Physical violence – this can include punching, hitting, fighting, and assaults using weapons.
- Psychological abuse – such as bullying, threats, intimidation, humiliation, cyberbullying, and verbal abuse.
- Sexual violence and harassment – such as unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate touching, sexual assault, and harassment.
- Gang-related violence – for example, gang-related fighting, vandalism, threats, drug trafficking, and recruitment activities.
- Gun violence and school shootings – including deliberate attacks involving firearms, which have become distressingly frequent occurrences across the nation.
There are no doubt other types of violence that happen within schools, but this list covers some of the most common.
What Effect Does Violence Have On Students?
Studies have shown that any type of violence is enough to create stress and trauma in a child. As children are still developing psychologically and emotionally, this stress can have significant effects on them, not just in terms of their schooling, but outside of school too with their relationships with family and friends.
Some examples of the potential effects school violence can have on a child include:
- Psychological Damage – in extreme cases, children could develop severe disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks and crippling anxiety.
- Poor School Performance – the distractions of violence can consume thoughts and make it hard to concentrate on essays, exams and homework. It could also lead to greater absenteeism and disengagement as they fear the environment.
- Behavioral Problems – the varying emotions can cause some students to alter their behaviors, especially if they begin to feel afraid or insecure. This can lead to violent outbursts, withdrawal from social situations and antisocial behavior.
- Physical Injuries – if a child is subject to physical violence they may be left with serious injuries, or in tragic situations, fatal injuries.
- Social Isolation – it is not uncommon for students who suffer bullying and violence to become withdrawn, socially isolating themselves in their feelings of rejection and self-preservation.
School Violence Statistics
To get a true idea of the scale of violence in schools, it helps to look at statistics. While there isn’t a definitive set of data published annually by the US government, various bodies and organisations collect and publish information. We’ve brought them together here to provide a more comprehensive insight:
- According to Youth Today, during the 2021–22 school year, US public schools reported approximately 857,500 violent incidents and 479,500 nonviolent incidents. 67% of schools reported at least one violent incident, while 59% reported at least one nonviolent incident.
- Youth Today also found that about 61% of schools reported at least one physical attack or fight without a weapon, and 4% reported incidents involving a weapon during the same period.
- The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported back in 2019 that a survey they conducted found around 20% of all high school students reported being bullied on school property in the preceding year.
- In 2024, there were 33 shooting incidents in K-12 schools, which resulted in 267 fatalities and injuries.
Real Examples Of Violence In Schools
It’s easy to lose sight of the tragic stories and incidents at the heart of these statistics. For that reason, we wanted to include some real examples of violence in schools to show the issues faced by staff and students.
- Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting (2012) – A lone gunman killed 20 young children and six educators in Connecticut, prompting national debates on gun control and mental health interventions.
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting (2018) – A former student killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. The incident sparked nationwide student-led protests advocating for stricter firearm laws and school safety improvements.
- Richneck Elementary School Shooting (2023) – A 6-year-old student deliberately shot his teacher in Virginia, Abby Zwerner, highlighting concerns about young children’s access to firearms.
Education Week also logs news of school shootings on their website here.
The Biggest Causes Of Violence In Schools
To help tackle problems of school violence, it really helps to understand the causes and therefore the sources of the problem.
The issue is that there is a wide range of potential causes which affect each child differently. In other words, no case is the same. However, some common factors appear when causes are investigated. Here is an overview:
- Bullying and Peer Pressure – Continuous bullying and harassment have the potential to lead to resentment, which could provoke retaliation and further and more extreme violence.
- Mental Health Issues – Untreated mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, conduct disorders, and trauma-related disorders can increase aggressive and impulsive behaviors.
- Family and Home Environment – Students from environments of abuse, neglect, violence, and substance abuse can sometimes exhibit violent behaviors themselves.
- Socioeconomic Factors – In some cases, poverty, economic disadvantage, community violence, and systemic inequities contribute to feelings of frustration, disenfranchisement, and aggression.
- Easy Access to Weapons – The availability of firearms and other weapons dramatically escalates the potential for lethal violence as it becomes a viable option.
- Exposure to Violent Media and Video Games – Persistent exposure to violence has the potential to glorify violence in an unproductive way for youngsters.
- Gang Affiliation and Influence – If there is a gang presence within communities there is the risk that children may get drawn into that too.
As you can see, the reasons are varied when it comes to the causes of school violence. Let’s turn our attention to ways to prevent it.
The Best Ways To Prevent School Violence
There are various options available to schools and educational facilities to help effectively tackle violence on their property. Here are some of the best and most effective ways.
Use Devices To Combat Anti-Social Behavior
There are numerous devices available to educational facilities to help combat antisocial behavior and violence.
Something we at Triton Sensors help many schools with is vape detectors. Students tend to congregate in spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms which are beyond the view of staff. It’s here other forms of violence can take place. Antisocial behavior like vaping and smoking can be caught and stamped out, and our devices can even detect enhanced noise levels, hostile tones, and keywords relating to violence and bullying. School staff receive an alert when the sensor is activated so that you can catch the culprits in the act.
Our devices have helped some schools reduce vaping incidents by over 80% in a matter of weeks. You can read one of our case studies on Luling Independent School District here.
To help tackle more serious threats, such as guns and knives, some schools may use metal detectors upon entry into the school.
Overall, these devices can act as a significant deterrent which can help tackle school violence.
Greater Education On The Issues
As difficult as it may seem to engage with students on the issues we’ve covered above, education remains one of the best ways of breaking through and changing the culture of violence.
Programs can look to equip pupils with the skills they need to make more informed and rational decisions. For example, focusing on developing emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and empathy can all shape young people’s mindsets in a positive way.
Efforts should also be taken to educate students on the consequences of violence, not just for the perpetrator, but for their potential victims.
More Stringent Security Policies
One approach that can help prevent school violence is to put in place more robust security policies. This can include things like:
- Weapon bans
- Visitor controls
- Emergency lockdown dills
- Clear reporting structures for violent incidents
- And clear disciplinary procedures too
Efforts to work with local police and law enforcement can also add a whole new layer to the policy as it serves as an extra deterrent for students.
Prevention Programs
Schools with problems with violence could also look to implement prevention programs. Schemes like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), mentoring initiatives, counseling services, and restorative justice programs effectively reduce violence by addressing behavioral issues at their roots.
By having programs in place, efforts can be taken to deal with the true causes of school violence which is one of the most effective ways to achieve a reduction.
Improved Supervision On School Buses
School buses are often overlooked as a potential hub of antisocial behavior and violence as they’re not on school property. However, students shouldn’t feel stressed or unsafe on their way to school and efforts should be taken by schools to extend their policies to buses and bus stops.
This can also have a positive impact on reducing problems in schools too, as incidents may start on buses and carry on into the school.
Are There Any Warning Signs To Watch Out For In Students?
Many incidents of school violence involve students taking action against classmates or staff. As an educator or someone who works in a school, it can help to understand the warning signs and body language of a potentially violent student. This way you can intervene early to prevent something from happening.
One of the biggest tell-tale signs is frequent emotional outbursts or uncontrolled anger. Coupled with expressions of violent thoughts or fantasies, either verbally or through writing or drawings, can serve as a red flag.
There has also been a rise in youngsters being exposed to violent or extremist ideologies online, such as the incel movement, which has the potential to alter attitudes and behaviors.
Children who have also been subject to bullying or cruelty in the past may also display behaviors like social withdrawal, symptoms of depression, severe mood changes, or drug and alcohol abuse which could lead to violence down the line.
It’s vital to stay vigilant and to keep an eye out for anything unusual.
What Steps Do Schools Need To Take By Law?
As well as ensuring pupil safety on a moral and societal level, schools are also mandated by law to tackle violence and bullying in their institutions.
Under US federal law, a school must:
- Have in place and enforce anti-bullying and harassment policies.
- Implement the Gun-Free Schools Act which requires the mandatory expulsion of students who bring firearms to schools
- To have in place emergency preparedness plans
- To report incidents of violence to local law enforcement
- To provide support and access to counseling for students
If you’re an educator, it’s vital that you comply with these rules and regulations to better ensure student safety.
How We Can Help You Tackle Violence In Schools
Here at Triton Sensors, we specialize in helping schools tackle antisocial behavior and violence. Our advanced sensors can detect raised voices and keywords relating to violent incidents, sending alerts to staff so that they can intervene and catch the culprits in the act.
This empowers you to take proper enforcement action and effectively stamp out violence and antisocial behavior for good.
We offer a free demo unit which is quick and easy to install. It’ll give you a clear idea of what you can expect and how effective it can be in cutting out school violence.
To speak with us today, head here or call us on the number at the top of this page.