Violence and Injury Prevention

1. Violence and Injury Prevention Mr. Ramos

2. Lesson 1 • Objectives • Describe ways in which violence affects teens. • Identify factors that increase or decrease the risk of violence. • Discuss the kinds of resources available to victims of violence. • Explain how to prevent violence in your community. • Describe ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim of violence.

3. How Violence Affects Teens • Violence is the use of physical force to harm people or property. • Violence incidents at school increase feelings of fear and insecurity, making students feel unsafe. • Students that feel unsafe may bring guns and knives to school or join gangs to feel protected.

4. The Risk of Violence:Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence • Home Environment • Children first learn to respect authority at home. • An unstable, inconsistent, or violent home environment can produce violent behavior. • Physical or emotional abuse can also contribute to the development of violent tendencies.

5. The Risk of Violence:Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence • Peer Relationships: • Children with violent behaviors may have difficulty making friends. • Positive peer relationships may help you stop being violent. • If a child’s friend is violent, that child may become violent.

6. The Risk of Violence:Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence • Access to Weapons: • Access to weapons increases violence among young people.

7. The Risk of Violence:Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence • Prejudice: • Strong feelings of prejudice can lead to violence. • Hatred and intolerances can turn into threats, assaults, and other violence behaviors.

8. The Risk of Violence:Factors that Increase the Risk of Violence • Use of alcohol and other drugs • Teens who use alcohol or drugs are more likely to be violent. • Some teens become violent under the influence of these drugs. • Other teens may engage in violent behaviors in order to obtain these drugs.

9. Protective Factors for Violence • Protective factors for violence reduce your risk of being involved in violence. • Learn to recognize violent behaviors • Use conflict resolution skills to solve problems • Learn to control your anger • Stay away from weapons and gangs • Avoid alcohol & illegal drugs • Obey laws that forbid the possession of drugs & weapons • Choose friends who feel the same way you do about preventing violence • Respect is key to preventing violence • Do not let other people treat you badly • Talk to your parents, guardian, or other responsible adult if you feel threatened.

10. Factors that Increase Violence • Assault is a physical attack or the threat of such an attack.

11. Factors that Increase Violence • Homicide is the killing of one person by another person. • Murder is homicide that is done on purpose.

12. Factors that Increase Violence • Rape is the threatened or actual use of physical force to get someone to have sex without consent. • Rape is also sexual contact with a minor.

13. Factors that Increase Violence • A hate crime is a crime based on hostility toward a particular group of people.

14. Factors that Increase Violence • Robbery is linked to violence • Thieves might use weapons or become violent in order to escape.

15. Resources for Recovery and Prevention • 1. Treatment for physical injury • Rape victims should be examined for infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

16. Resources for Recovery and Prevention • 2. Treatment for emotional pain • Counseling • Support groups • Religion (non-secular treatment)

17. Resources for Recovery and Prevention • 3. Support • Family and friends • Building trusting relationships

18. Resources for Recovery and Prevention • 4. Repayment • Victims should attempt to be repaid for money or property losses.

19. Resources for Recovery and Prevention • 5. Education • Victims need to learn self protection strategies.

20. Curbing Violence in the Community • 1. Neighborhood Watches • Adult volunteers observe or patrol their neighborhood to prevent crimes. • Participants feel empowered because they have taken action against violence.

21. Curbing Violence in the Community • 2. Community Improvements • Installing lighting & trimming bushes and trees can eliminate hiding places and make a community safer.

22. Curbing Violence in the Community • 3. After-school activities • These activities give students positive opportunities to develop caring relationships with peers & adults.

23. Curbing Violence in the Community • 4. Interventions • An intervention is an intensive treatment for individuals who have developed unhealthful behaviors that includes a large network of support, including family, friends, and health care professionals.

24. Curbing Violence in the Community • 5. Community Web Sites • A community web site provides a place for community members to exchange ideas.

25. Curbing Violence in the Community • 6. Law Enforcement • More police officers • Street patrols • Longer prison term • Background checks

26. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 1. Outside Your Home • Pay attention & don’t get distracted • Have at least one hand free for self defense • Notice where other people are and what they are doing • Remain in a well-lighted area • Travel with other people if possible

27. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 2. At Home • NEVER hide keys outside your home • DO NOT enter your home if you suspect a stranger is in there. • Keep doors & windows locked • Never let strangers enter your home for any reason

28. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 3. Childsit Safely • Do not leave children alone, inside or outside the house. • Speak carefully over the phone with strangers & don’t give too much detail

29. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 4. Exercise Wisely • Change your route and schedule when you exercise outside • Exercise with a partner if possible • Tell your parents or guardians where you are going • Do not use headphones • Carry a whistle to blow in case of danger • Carry an ID and have a cell-phone or change to make a telephone call

30. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 5. Stalking is obsessing about and following or making contact with an individual with the intent to threaten or harm that person. • Alert the police • Get a restraining order through court

31. Protecting Yourself from Violence • 6. Sexual Harassment and Rape • Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behavior that can lead to sexual assault or rape: sexual jokes & inappropriate touching or gestures. • Tell the person who is sexually harassing you to stop & what it is he or she is doing that bothers you. • Do not spend time alone with someone you do not know or trust.

32. Lesson 2 • Objectives • Discuss how violence in school can be prevented • Explain how to avoid gangs and bullies

33. Preventing Violence in Schools • 1. Physical Environment • Security Guards • Cameras • Metal Detectors • Security Fences • Bright Lighting

34. Preventing Violence in Schools • 2. Emotional Environment • Psychologists • Counselors • Peer Counseling

35. Preventing Violence in Schools • 3. Dress Codes • Reduces gangs in school • Builds school pride • Produces noncompetitive setting • Keeps people’s hormones in check

36. Preventing Violence in Schools • 4. Safe Corridors • Safe hallways when switching classes

37. Weapons and Schools • Bringing weapons to school is a crime with severe consequences. • Toy guns and knives are forbidden. • Students caught may face mandatory expulsion and criminal charges. • Additional punishments include fines and imprisonment.

38. Avoiding Gangs and Bullies • Your safety depends on the friends you choose. • A gang is a group of people who are often involved in illegal and violent activities. • Use resistance skills and say “NO” in a firm voice. • Be aware of gang territory and stay away from it.

39. Bullies • A bully is a person who attempts to hurt or frighten people whom he or she considers helpless.

40. How to Handle a Bully:Things to Do • Walk away – Bullies like attention, so ignore them • Be confident – hold your head up and show you are not afraid • Use humor – laughing at yourself can take the tension out of a situation • Use the buddy system – team up with another student between classes • Talk to someone about the problem – Ask a parent, teacher, or counselor for help

41. How to Handle a Bully:Things Not to Do • Do not feel that you have to fight – violence may worsen the situation and result in injury • Do not become a bully yourself – this will not help your situation • Do not use sarcasm – bullies may respond violently to sarcasm • Do not try to get even after a fight – talk to a responsible adult • Do not be afraid to ask for help – talk to a teacher, counselor, or parent

42. Lesson 3 • Objectives • Explain how to reduce the risk of unintentional injuries. • Discuss ways to make your home safe. • Apply safety rules for recreational and outdoor activities. • Apply safety habits for motor vehicle use.

43. Safety in the Home • Many injuries occur at home. • 1. Falls: • Keep floors and stairways clear • Use rug pads to keep rugs from slipping • Clean up spills right away • Use a rubber mat in the shower • Never lean on window screen

44. Breaking the Accident Chain • Use your common sense when it comes to safety. • An unintentional injury is an injury caused by an unexpected event, or accident. • A hazard is something that can cause harm or injury: poisons, weapons, tools, vehicles, & severe weather.

45. Breaking the Accident Chain Practice safe habits Car Crash Losing control of a car and being seriously injured in a crash. Harmful Habit Not wearing a seat belt. Hazardous Situation Driving during a severe rainstorm. Harmful Action Answering or making a cellular telephone call while driving Act Safely Change Situation

46. Safety in the Home • Many injuries occur at home. • 2. Poisons: • Cleaning products, medicine, bug & weed killers, & plants can be poisonous. • Keep poisons away from children. • Wear gloves & protective clothing. • Some products must be used in a well-ventilated area.

47. Safety in the Home • Many injuries occur at home. • 3. Electrical Injuries: • Use safety plugs to cover unused outlets. • Don’t use worn out wires or touch the metal portion • Keep electrical appliances away from water

48. Safety in the Home • Many injuries occur at home. • 4. Microwaves: • Remove dish from microwave with a potholder. • Uncover potholder slowly & release steam away from you • Stir food to even heating. • Keep metals away from the microwave, including aluminum foil.

49. Safety in the Home • Many injuries occur at home. • 5. Fires • Cigarette smoking may cause fires. • Overloaded electrical outlets & extension cords may cause fires.

50. Safety in the Home • Flammable means able to catch on fire easily. • Make sure nothing flammable, such as plastic or paper, is near the stove. • Never leave food unattended. • Keep oven mitt nearby. • If a fire occurs, turn off the heat & do not add water.