Crisis Response: Violent Behavior Response

When you notice some of the violent behaviors in an individual, there are several things you can do.

Stay Safe

  • Do not allow yourself to be left alone with someone who is prone to violence.
  • If a student tends to act out in the classroom, try to avoid such situations by stopping behavior before it gets out of control.
  • Once you sense that a student is becoming upset, give him/her the option to leave. Make an observation that things seem to be getting heated, so "let's all take a break." Let the student leave the classroom.
  • If you sense that there is one student who tends to push another student's buttons, let the violent-prone student leave and speak with the student who may be instigating problems.

Share Concerns

When you have a violent-prone student, confide in someone about the individual. Find a colleague you trust and respect and share the situation with him/her. On the one hand, you want to have a way to vent and get a seasoned professional's opinion. On the other hand, you don't want to be the only one who knows about the student's behavior and does nothing. Sharing concerns about a student is the best way to find out if others have similar observations.

Reach out for Help

If you are fearful of a student's actions or behaviors, contact Public Safety immediately; 610-436-3311. The Threat Assessment Team can also be accessed through Public Safety. Members of the Threat Assessment Team are available to document concerns and to intervene when necessary. The goal is to protect the WCU community at large from individuals who may threaten the safety of faculty, staff, and students.

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