11 Facts about School Violence
- Approximately 38% of public schools reported at least one incident of violence to police during 2005-2006.
- About 24% of high school students knew of gangs at their schools in 2005.
- In the same year, students ages 12-18 were the victims of about 628,200 violent crimes at school, including rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.
- About 30% report being bullied, being a bully or both.
- Young people who bully are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and get into fights.
- Middle school students are more than twice as likely as high school students to be affected by school violence.
- About 7% of eighth graders stay home at least once a month to avoid a bully.
- Approximately 22% of urban 11 and 12-year-olds know at least one person their age in a gang.
- During the past seven years, 116 students were killed in 109 separate incidents at school – an average of 16.5 student homicides each year.
- Nearly 50% of homicide perpetrators gave some type of warning signal, including making a threat or leaving a note, prior to the event.
- Most school-associated violent deaths occur during transition times – before and after the school day and during lunch.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Constitutional Rights Foundation
National Center for Education Statistics
US Department of Justice
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