1. Violence in America

2. What is Violence?
Violence: one person exerting force over another to control, to inflict injury or death, or to maintain a position of power.
Poor conflict resolution often leads to violence

3. Types of Violence
Domestic Violence: Family or household abuse, including spousal, child, or sibling abuse
Homophobia: irrational fear of homosexuality
Incest: sexual abuse by a family member
Sexual Assault: forced sexual activity against a person’s will

4. Continued Acquaintance Rape: when the victim knows his/her assailant
Battery: physical and/or emotional abuse to control and maintain power over another.
Fighting: physical and/or verbal disagreement
Sexism: discrimination based on a person’s sex
Victim: the abused or injured person
Perpetrator: the person or assailant who commits the violent act

5. Common Causes of Anger which often lead to Violence
Racism
Prejudice
Poverty
Betrayal
Powerlessness
Need for acceptance/respect

6. Is Anger Unhealthy?
Anger is a common and natural emotion. It is not the feeling which is unhealthy, but rather how one deals with his/her anger that makes it unhealthy

7. Do you think violence is a natural or learned response?
Violence is a learned response, prevalent throughout one’s lifetime
Domestic violence, movie violence, racial/ethnic violence, and sexual assault are becoming more and more common throughout society

8. Violence in the Media
The difference between media violence and real violence is that in real violence, no one wins, someone always gets hurt and sometimes killed
Some people attempt to mimic certain forms of movie violence without recognizing the real consequences of their actions

9. Alcohol and weapons in violence
Friends + a weapon + an argument + alcohol and drugs
= DEATH

10. Is Violence always Physical?
Can be:
Physical
Emotional
Sexual

11. Gains from Violence
Pain
Victim
Perpetrator
Family member
Witness

12. Consequences of Violence
Jail
Pain
Death

13. Learn to Deal with Anger
Something physical (sports)
Time alone
Drawing, painting
Crying it out
Use of support systems
Meditation
Poetry

14. Recognize situations that lead to violence
Physical – starts with pushing
Emotional – starts with ignoring someone or putting someone down
Sexual – starts with inappropriate touching

15. Learn to Avoid Situations
Trust your instincts
Choose helpful friends
Identify positive role models
Stay in school
Don’t be afraid to change

16. Hand Gun Violence Be alert to potentially violent situations
Hand Guns are the most common cause of Homicide
Know the facts about kids and violence
Resolve problems with safe methods
Know the law
Don’t play with or carry a weapon
Youth who carry a weapon are 400 times more likely to be victim of handgun violence than those who do not
If you hear gunfire, drop to the ground
If in school – get out of the hallway, hide behind or under a desk or behind a cabinet.
Avoid places like inside a cabinet or a stairwell that could cause you to become trapped.

17. Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment: any unwanted, unwelcome or unsolicited conduct directed towards you because you are male or female

18. Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence
Q: Does a mixed message give someone the right to force him/herself on someone?
A: No. If a person feels he/she is being teased or given mixed messages, they have the option of communicating their uncertainty or walking away. Forcing any sexual activity is never an option.

19. Q: Why are victims of sexual assault frequently blamed for the attack?
There is a perception that: They ask for it by the way they dress or the places they go

20. Preventing Sexual Assaults
Do not go home with anyone after a first or second date especially if alcohol is involved
Keep all doors and windows locked
Never open a door to a stranger
Keep shades and curtains down
Don’t let anyone know you might be home alone
Call a friend, neighbor, police if necessary.

21. Prevention Continued
Stay calm, assertive, and in control of the situation
Think of an excuse to stop by a public place
Do not show fear
Yell for help if the situation becomes more uncomfortable
Inform a trusted adult of the situation
Don’t walk home alone at night
If you end up alone try to find someone else to walk near.

22. Prevention Continued Call campus security if needed
Call or begin a campus escort program
Let someone know to where you are going and with and even let them know what time you expect to be home

23. Steps to take if a loved one is raped?
Seek medical attention
Reassure the victim she/he is not to blame
Encourage them to report the crime
Seek counseling