HOME NEWS SAFETY TIPS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
School Violence includes all incidents in which any member of the schools’ community is subjected to abuse e.g. Threats of harm, intimidating or humiliating behavior or physical assault.
Violence in the school is the reciprocal of violence in the home and the community. A child’s early years are spent drawing social maps by which they live; “Violence Witnessed is Violence Experienced,” they learn that violence solve problems. Most serious matters seen by police involving school students over the years emanated from the community is filtered into the school and back to the community.
As we embark upon a new school year consistent collaboration between the police, school administrators, parents and other relevant agencies is vital to enhancing the safety mechanism in the school zone. The inter-generational role of the community raising a child must be realized.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20th 1989 states:
Article 29: A child has, “The right to an education which prepares him/her for an active, responsible life as an adult in a free society which respects others and the environment.”
Article 32: A child has, “The right to protection from economic exploitation and work that is hazardous, interferes with his/her education or harms his/her health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social life.”
Article 33: A child has, “The right to protection from narcotic drugs and from being involved in their production or distribution.”
Article 34: A child has, “The right to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
Parents School Safety Starts With You……………..
Parents Checklist
Yes No
[] [] Is your child a very low achiever?
[] [] Is he/she overly aggressive (constantly getting into mischief with siblings
or neighbors)?
[] [] Is your child fascinated over weapons (guns, knives, cutlasses, etc.), drugs or
sex?
[] [] Are you familiar with his/her friends, school teachers/administrators,
guidance counselors, adolescent health centers, community police officers and other agencies relevant to your child?
[] [] Is your child a school drop out or is he/she constantly running away from home
and sleeping out?
[] [] Is there written abuse (graffiti, messages or letters) attached to school books or
bags?
[] [] Is their a pattern of dress code or body language synonymous to that of other
neighborhood youths? (I.e. clothing, hair cuts, sign languages, change in body
odor, etc.)
[] [] Is your child a lover of money or other people’s property?
[] [] Is your child withdrawn, constantly late or absent from school and
often times complain about teachers/classmates?
[] [] Does your child live in a environment free from violence; one filled with
spiritual enrichment, love, positive two-way communication, respect and
basic needs met?
10 THINGS PARENTS CAN DO TO STOP THE VIOLENCE
1. Recognize that keeping weapons in the home may put you at a legal risk as well as expose your family and neighborhood to physical danger. If you do choose to keep firearms and ammunition at home ensure they are securely locked and stored separately and that children know that weapons (including cutlasses, knives, etc.) are never to be touched without your express permission or supervision.
2. Act as a role model, settle conflicts peaceably and manage anger without violence.
3. Play an active role in your child’s school. Listen to and talk regularly to your child’s’ teachers and staff. Work with parents-teacher-student organizations.
4. Set clear limits on behaviors in advance, by discussing punishment and rewards with your child
5. Communicate clearly on issues of violence. Explain that you don’t accept and won’t tolerate violent behaviour. But, address immediately any issues or concerns by your child to prevent undue stress or the escalation of violence.
6. Help your child learn how to examine and find solutions to problems.
7. Discourage name-calling and teasing.
8. Insist on knowing your child’s friends, whereabouts and activities.
9. Make it clear that you support school policies and rules; also police intervention if necessary.
10. Team up with other parents, school administrators, community police officers, adolescent health centers, religious groups and relevant government agencies to ‘Prevent, Identify and Eliminate violence in the school zones.
10 THINGS STUDENTS CAN DO TO STOP SCHOOL VIOLENCE
1. Refuse to bring weapons to school, refuse to carry weapons for someone else and refuse to keep silent about those who carry weapons.
2. Report any violence or aggression perpetrated against you to school administrators or police (take all threats seriously).
3. Avoid conflict with students who have been drinking, taking drugs or are known to carry weapons.
4. Stay away from gang related activities, illicit drugs, alcoholic beverage, and inappropriate touching of school mates.
5. Pay attention to signs that violence might occur and walk away from out-of-control conflicts.
6. Help others settle disputes peaceably.
7. Learn how to manage your own anger without the use violence.
8. Welcome and mentor new students and make them feel at home in your school
9. Ask each student activity or club to adopt an ant-violence theme.
10. Start a school crime watch and sign up for a “peace pledge” campaign, in which students promise to settle disagreement without violence.
School Administrators
Bolo is the crime prevention mascot of the Community Relations Section of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. It is a symbol of the police attack dog named Bolo housed at the Police Internal Security Division. He will be your friend as long as you stay on the right side of the law.
By: Elaine Sands
Assistant Superintendent of Police
Community Relations Section
Police Headquarters
East Street
P.O. Box N458
Phone No. 302-8430/1
