What Works Brief #5: Physical and Emotional Violence Perpetration

By: Meagan O Malley, Angela Amarillas

Schools are among the safest places for youth. However, many schools have instituted various safety practices that research has shown to be ineffective — even harmful.

Effective evidence-based strategies that reduce rates of physical and emotional violence all have a common denominator — non-punitive, restorative prevention and intervention practices.

This What Works Brief, cowritten by Meagan O'Malley, Research Associate at WestEd, provides evidence-based strategies that school staff, parents, and community members can use to:

• Improve school environment by decreasing the reinforcement students receive for acts of aggression
• Establish sanctions that decrease the likelihood that students will reoffend

Note: Developed by the California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Technical Assistance Center, What Works Briefs summarize state-of-the-art practices, strategies, and programs for improving school climate.

Based on the most current research, each of the ten briefs provides practical recommendations for school staff, parents, and community members and can be used separately to target specific issues (e.g., family engagement) or grouped together to address more complex, systemwide issues.

What Works Briefs are organized into three sections:

• Quick Wins: What Teachers and Adults Can Do Right Now
• Universal Supports: Schoolwide Policies, Practices, and Programs
• Targeted Supports: Intensive Supports for At-Risk Youth

In addition to Brief #5: Physical and Emotional Violence Perpetration, download these What Works Briefs:

• What Works Brief #1: Caring Relationships and High Expectations
• What Works Brief #2: Opportunities for Meaningful Participation
• What Works Brief #3: Perceptions of Safety
• What Works Brief #4: School Connectedness
• What Works Brief #6: Physical and Emotional Violence Victimization
• What Works Brief #7: Harassment and Bullying
• What Works Brief #8: Substance Use at School
• What Works Brief #9: Family Engagement
• What Works Brief #10: Improving Staff Climate

Information about California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) can be found at the S3 website.