The Violent Student

Violence due to emotional distress is rare and typically occurs when the student’s level of frustration has been so intense or of such an enduring nature as to erode all of the student’s emotional controls. The adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” best applies here. Violent behavior is often associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs.

What You Can Do:

• Prevent total frustration and helplessness by quickly and calmly acknowledging the intensity of the situation, e.g., “I can see you’re really upset and may be tempted to lash out.”
• Explain clearly and directly what behaviors are acceptable without denying his/her feelings, e.g., “You certainly have the right to be angry, but breaking things is not OK.”
• Get necessary help (send someone for other staff, security, etc.)
• Stay safe: have easy access to a door; keep furniture between you and the student; keep door open if at all possible/appropriate; make certain that a staff, faculty, or another person is nearby and accessible; in some instances, you may wish to see the student only with another person present — do not see the person alone if you fear for your safety.

Avoid:

• Ignore warning signs that the person is about to explode, e.g., yelling, screaming, clenched fists, threats.
• Threaten or corner the student.
• Touch the student.

Guide Table of Content

• Typical Concerns for UR Students
• What You Should Know About Student Problems
• Symptoms of Distressed or Distressing Students
• Responding to Distressed or Distressing Students
• Making a Referral to the UR Counseling Center
• Responding to Student Emergencies
• The UR Counseling Center
• Information About Confidentiality
• Mandated Risk Assessment
• Other Campus Referral Sources
• Academic Faculty: Classroom Climate and Prevention
• Responding After a Tragedy: An In-The-Classroom Guide

Addendum

• The Grieving Student
• The Anxious/Shy Student
• The Student Who May Have an Eating Disorder
• The Demanding Student
• The Dependent/Passive Student
• The Depressed Student
• The Student in Poor Contact with Reality
• The Student Suspected of Substance Abuse or Addiction
• The Victim of Stalking
• The Victim of an Abusive Dating Relationship
• The Victim of a Hate Incident
• The Victim of Hazing
• The Student Who Has Been Sexually Harassed (Assaulted)
• The Suicidal Student
• The Suspicious Student
• The Verbally Aggressive Student
• The Violent Student
• The Absent/Disappeared From Class Student
• Responding to Students with Transition Issues
• Responding to the Student with Choice of Major or Career Concerns