School Violence and Gangs Our nation's schools, once a protected haven for learning and growth, are no longer safe for teachers or students in many of our nation's communities. From overt violent acts, such as homicide and assaults, to concealed crimes, such as child sexual abuse, violence in schools affects everyone: teachers, parents, children and the whole community. Victims of violent crime in the school, like victims elsewhere, may suffer physical ailments, withdrawal from peer …showed first 75 words of 2004 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2004 total…members wanted to stay in school because they could congregate and discuss their activities in a social arena, uphold their reputation as an established gang, flaunt their accouterments, display their strength of membership, provide protection for their members, intimidate other students, recruit potential members, and sometimes engage in criminal or violent acts. But, of course, these benefits for the gang have negative consequences for all students, school personnel, school safety, and the overall educational process.