On the heels of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, the position statement of an interdisciplinary group of experts in prevention of school and community violence, details the key elements of violence prevention and underscores the need to focus on issues of mental health, threat assessment, media effects, and access to guns.
“AERA has worked on issues of school violence previously and this continues that work,” stated Felice J. Levine, Executive Director of AERA. “AERA is proud to stand with scientists and scholars who have produced an impressive body of high quality, peer reviewed research.”
The Call for Effective Prevention of Violence emphasizes the groups’ wish to comment on the tragic acts of violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which have shaken the nation, and to express deepest condolences to the entire Newtown community. “We all share a common priority: Keeping our children safe.”
The statement asks for “a renewed nationwide effort to address the problem of mass shootings that have occurred repeatedly in our schools and communities. Now is the time for our political leaders to take meaningful action to address the need for improved mental health services and protection from gun violence. At the same time, concerned citizens in every community should engage in comprehensive planning and coordination to prevent violence in our schools and communities.… The bottom line is that we must all work together toward the common goal of keeping our schools and communities safe. ### The Call or More Effective Prevention of Violence is available online. Read the joint statement by AERA President William G. Tierney and Executive Director Felice J. Levine on the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Access the special issue of the AERA’s Educational Researcher on School Safety and Violence Prevention or research fact sheets presented at the AERA Capitol Hill Briefing on School Violence.
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