Warning Signs of Violence

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Warning signs of violence & how to prevent it

If you’re a parent who worries about your child’s physical safety while they’re at school, you’re not alone – with gang violence and mass shootings in schools on the rise over the past few decades, many caregivers and kids feel worried about these things. Your school will probably do lockdown drills and let your child know what to do in case of a crisis, and that’s good – but we also want to help prevent these things before they even start. The best way to do this is by being connected and active in your community and showing inclusivity and care to others.

Warning Signs of Violence (School Shootings)

Most people who decide to commit a violent act don’t make that decision suddenly. There are usually warning signs beforehand, and it’s good for caregivers and kids to be aware of these signs so you can do something about them when you notice them.

Warning signs of violence can include:

Suddenly withdrawing (no longer talking to or spending time with) friends and family, or not participating in activities anymore

Bullying others

Being very irritable or impatient, or getting angry more quickly than usual

Being constantly lonely or not having friends or social connections

Having ongoing thoughts of hurting themselves or someone else

Making direct threats

Bragging about access to guns or weapons (this could include talking about how they will get access to a gun, posting pictures online with weapons, etc.)

Having a strong interest in violent content they see online, or researching mass shooters or weapons

Being cruel to or hurting animals

Using violent gestures (like making shooting gestures with their hands)

Not having goals for the future in their life or at school, or grades start suddenly dropping

Belief that violence has to happen for social change to occur (like talking about overthrowing the government or other authority figures in a violent way, telling people that change will never happen without a violent act)

If you notice these signs in someone, especially if you notice multiple warning signs over a period of time, please don’t wait to act. If you think that you or someone in your community is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. If you aren’t sure whether or not you should be concerned, you can submit an anonymous tip at this link or call the 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-844-5-SAYNOW (1-844-5-729669) to report acts of violence, threats, or any warning signs you notice. Ending school violence takes a whole community, and you have an important role in keeping your community safe.

Trigger warning: The embedded video below contains non-graphic images related to guns and signs of violence that may be disturbing to some viewers, but is included to show subtle signs of violence that may be useful to families and school communities.

Warning Signs of Violence (Gang Involvement)

Gang violence is another prevalent issue that can cause problems and violent acts in schools and in the community. The warning signs listed above can certainly be signs of possible gang violence, and there are also some other things to look for if you think your child or one of their peers might be considering joining a gang.

Common risk factors that make it more likely that someone will join a gang:

Lack of economic opportunities (not having jobs available or feeling like they’ll never be able to make enough money to support themselves)

Feeling left out, rejected, or ignored (not having a sense of community and strong relationships with others)

Fear of violence and belief that joining a gang will protect them (in reality, the opposite is true – kids in gangs are much more likely to be the victims of violent acts than their peers who are not a part of gangs)

Wanting to increase their social status

Rebelling against traditional societal values (not thinking that things like kindness, structure, authority, family, honesty, etc. are important)

When kids and teenagers are at risk for committing violent acts, either as part of a gang or on their own, it’s important to get help right away. And even before they are at a high risk of doing these things, we can work to build stronger communities that protect kids against violence long before it starts. Keep reading to learn how!

Ways You Can Keep Your Community Safe

For both gang violence and mass shootings, one of the strongest protective factors is having good, supportive relationships with other people. This can include caregivers, peers, teachers, and other community members. So if you’re a caregiver who is working hard to have a good relationship with your child and their peers, thank you! That is one of the best things you can do for your community and the world around you.

There are also lots of other ways that you can work to end social isolation and increase community connection both inside and outside of your family. Here are a few ideas to get started:

Teach your kids early to be kind and show empathy towards others. You can practice these skills as early as they can talk, by waving at others you see on the street, teaching them basic greetings, and modeling social interaction and communication. In their toddler years, you can show them empathy by commenting on their feelings and responding to them when they feel sad. As your child gets into elementary school, they are old enough to understand that not everyone thinks and feels the same way. Talk to your child about how others might feel and think, and help them recognize how to help others when they may feel sad or down.
Invest in your own relationships as an adult caregiver. Spend time with others and invite friends over to your home. Participate in social outings with your kids. Engage in conversations with people who think differently than you. Offer emotional support and practical support to others in your community who are struggling. When you do any of these things, you’re investing in your community in meaningful ways, as well as modeling healthy relationships for your kids.
Teach your child that if they see someone alone at school, they can reach out to them and offer connection. As a caregiver, you can do the same. Think about your neighborhood and community – who do you know that could use some more support and friendship? Here are some easy ways that you (and your child) can reach out to people in your community who need support:

Bake some cookies or bring a meal over to a new neighbor

Volunteer at a local organization (like the Fruitvale Community Market or SAFE Yakima Valley)

Go to community events (e.g. at the library or other local organizations) and talk to people around you who are there alone

Volunteer at your child’s school, attend school events, or coach one of their sports teams – you can be a supportive adult for other kids who might not have one at home

It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming – even simply holding the door for someone or making small talk with a stranger at the grocery store helps build community and lets others know that they’re not alone. Ending violence takes a whole community of people who are willing to show up every day with kindness and empathy, and to support kids throughout their development so they grow up knowing that there are options other than violence to make the world a better place.

For more information on protecting children from gun violence, you can explore the resources and trainings offered by Sandy Hook Promise. For information on preventing gang violence and resolving conflict in your community, reach out to the Community Peace Center of Central Washington. To learn more about preventing violence in your community and country, we recommend the book “The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic” by Jillian Peterson and James Densley.