School Violence: Lessons Learned and New Directions

Abstract

The focus of the second edition of School Violence and Primary Prevention has been to address the broadening range of forms of violence in our schools and colleges nationally. It has addressed leading definitions of various forms of violence along with specificity when it comes to understanding the neurobiology of violence and victimization, the developmental issues in understanding the victim-victimizer dimension, and the unique factors and forms violence may show itself among school children, adolescents, and adults. An effort has been made to gain perspectives from key personnel within the school setting and the community. In capturing the necessary directions, it has relied on evidence-based research and specialized approaches to effective prevention interventions that address school-related violence. In this chapter, we review the lessons learned from each of the chapter contributors who provided their educational, clinical, and research experience to lay the groundwork for some new directions to be taken in addressing the growing spectrum of violence among our youth in its many forms. Much has been learned and there is more to be considered in the chapters including some concluding thoughts on how we might better address school violence in the immediate future.