Impacts of School Violence www.rcmp.gc.ca

The impacts of school violence can extend far beyond the classroom doors. Such events can directly affect the students, their families and friends, school employees, surroundings community members, police officers on the scene, and even those who hear about it through the news. In the wake of a violent school act, students may develop feelings of fear, anxiety and paranoia and may not want to return to school. Parents may also echo their feelings by not wanting to send their children to school for fear of the incident reoccurring. As a result, school boards have faced new pressures to improve their school safety policies by working with police departments and community members to develop plans of action and school lockdown procedures. Violent school situations are no joke and can lead to legal implications. Someone committing school violence could be legally responsible under the Criminal Code of Canada through harassment, assault and murder (Criminal Code of Canada).