What can school personnel do to help?

What we can do in the schools:

At Tier 1:

~Develop educational presentations for the schools so children learn that it is not okay for adults in their family to hurt them or to hurt other adults, that they should tell someone they can trust about it, and to call 911 if that is happening.

~Educate staff about dating violence, not everyone knows what this is! Incorporate peer education, more students can be reached this way.

~The best time to target universal knowledge about dating violence is during middle school, kids have not yet established a dating pattern, there is still time to intervene.

~Keep parents involved, educate them too and let them know what their children are learning.

~Train teachers to identify children who may be in a domestic violence situation and help teachers learn ways to address the issue.

~Develop coordinated efforts of schools, churches, community organizations, and the social welfare system so that all are working toward preventing domestic violence and keeping victims and their children safe.

At Tier 2:

~Identify assess and support within non -specialist services – health, education, early years, housing management.

~Make it clear to at-risk students that you are approachable and nonjudgmental.

~Create a domestic violence response team made up of school personnel with specialized training in conducting in-depth assessments, safety planning, making appropriate community referrals, and facilitating linkages with appropriate services.

~Develop and implement a policy whereby, at the parent’s request, a dated note is placed in the student’s record indicating that the parent wishes to be informed if the abusive parent contacts the school or comes into or near the school.


At Tier 3:

~Offer counseling and support services for those involved in violent or abusive relationships, make these sessions interactive.

~Collaborate with parents who have restraining orders and help them meet the safety needs of themselves and their children.

~Through individual or group work, help children make sense of any unresolved trauma and learn ways to stay safe and build non-violent relationships. Such services should also work with non-abusing parents to build their capacity to help their children to understand and come to terms with the abuse they have suffered; they also enable them to regain confidence to resume their role as a parent.

~Create counseling groups for students who are victims of domestic or dating violence. Groups decrease isolation and increase youth's openness.

~Always use research-based programs.

~Listen with empathy rather than giving advice.

~Do not force victims to tell parents or legal authorities about dating violence.
It is better to help the victim explore advantages and disadvantages.

~Develop safety plans for use if violence occurs again and is imminent.