Intervening to Minimize Violence
on Campus
Mary Anne Knapp, LCSW
Counseling and
Psychological Services
(CAPS)
University Park, PA 16802
Violence on Campus- Interventions
from a Psychological Perspective.
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Campus fears about violence-recent devp.
Violence prediction- old and new
Encouraging a climate of respect & non
violence
Progressive engagement around behaviors
of concern
Viewing scenes on-line and discussing
issues of participants
What do we think about when we think
about Violence on campus?
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Dramatic events at Virginia Tech, Northern
Illinois, University of Alabama
What about Penn State? - HUB Lawn
shooting 1996
Murders of students by students/nonstudents
Assaults on other students- drunk or sober
Harassment- sexual and discriminatory
Relationship violence/Sexual Assaults
Violence and You- What do you bring
to the Interaction?
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What is your role with students?
Protect your own safety.
Consult as needed.
Have you been the victim of violence? Do
you have a “short fuse”?
Are you likely to over or under react?
What resources will you need to address the
situation?
Traditional Person-Centered Ways of
Assessing Violence Potential
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Leads to many False positives
High percentage of students exhibit some or
many of these traits
We can’t kick them all out of school
What can we do?
Warning Signs or Risks factors for ViolenceTraditional/clinical assessment
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Past violence **
Gender (Male)
Lack of empathy for others
High levels of anger
Childhood experiences- physical abuse, antisocial
parents, especially identifying with abuser
Personality Disorders
Substance abuse
Important relationship “gone wrong”-major
disappointment or disgrace
Specific Command hallucinations
Risk factors for Violence (cont)
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Any conditions that in combination lead a
student to have trouble with their perception
and interpretation of events and/or impairs
impulse control
When a student has access to weapons and
fascination with weapons
When there is a plan to carry out violence**
Then it’s critical to take immediate action**
Psychological interview for ViolenceWill Wadlington to CAPS staff- 10/17/07
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Judgment- Does the student know right from
wrong? Can they predict consequences of
actions?
Insight- Do they understand reasons and
causes for their feelings and behaviors? Do
they know what’s normative?
Impulse control- Are they able to inhibit
themselves and prevent unwanted behavior?
Progressive Engagement- When
students “cross the line”.
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Find out what happened to the extent possible from all parties
(JA, Res Life or Police role)
Convey concern for the student even if they have engaged in
questionable &/Or violent behavior
Convey behavioral expectations
Convey consequences
Offer help/referral if student needs support to avoid problem
behaviors or to deal with violence from others
Remember to Consult & Document
Meet again with progressive consequences for further episodes
of concern
How can we minimize violence?
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Understanding and connecting to students- Being student
centered w/ all students.
Understanding our own issues/feelings about potential violence
Conveying concern for the student & Curious Inquiry re event.
Being there to support pro-social behavior, safety and healthy
non-violent campus climate
Asking clarifying questions to learn the meaning of behavior. Is
it an intentional violation or lack of awareness? What did they
mean by-----?
Looking for Educational opportunities to convey behavioral
expectations & other options
How can we minimize violence?(Cont)
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Conveying a sense of expectations- What’s ideal
behavior and what’s “crossing the line”?
When are we making a suggestion and when is it a
requirement? Who’s in charge of an interaction?
Being clear about the consequences for violence.
Progressive engagement for repeat events.
Escalation as needed for serious offenses
Parental Notification & Duty to Warn in emergency
situations
Threat Assessment , Students of Concern Teams
Resources when you are concerned
about Potential or Actual Violence
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University Police 863-1111 at UP or Campus police or security.
911 Police/Ambulance
Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
863-0395 UP or campus counseling resources
Usually 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday
Centre County CAN HELP line 1-800-643-5432 and other
community crisis lines or Hospital ERs.
Judicial Affairs (UP) 863-0432 for Student Misconduct
Campus Directors of Academic Affairs or Director of Student
Affairs for Consultation/Intervention Joe Puzycki 863-4926 UP
Consulting with Supervisor or Coworkers
Threat Assessment Team/Response Team on your campus
Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act
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FERPA
What’s allowed in terms of disclosure to
parents or other concerned parties?
Who decides when there is sufficient danger
to health and safety to warrant disclosure?
Web Workshops
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Worrisome Student Behaviorshttp://studentaffairs.psu.edu/caps/wsb/
Students in Distresshttp://www.sa.psu.edu/caps/distress/