2008 Woodie Awards
Bullying presents nationwide problem
Little research exists for college-level violence, harassment
By: Bryan Coplin
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Bill Kuntz and Don Wahl, directors of Youth Violence Prevention and Social Emotional Learning, warned of bullying on college campuses.
Wahl and Kuntz were careful to emphasize that most of the research available was based on K-12 statistics. They said very little research has been done on college-level violence and bullying, which makes them somewhat harder to combat. They said that bullying is often a warning sign of violence.
Kuntz and Wahl led a Brown Bag lunch on the prevention of violence in higher education noon Sept. 19 in the Library Conference Room.
A group of about 45 attended. Most were students, but some faculty and at least one community member of Webster Groves came as well.
"We're trying to deal with the front end rather than the back end of bullying," said Wahl.
Bullying encompasses a range of behavior, from verbal abuse to making a point to exclude someone from a group.
Kuntz stressed the impact violence has on learning. Up to a third of the brain shuts down for up to 72 hours after witnessing a violent act firsthand, he said. Lots of violence could be prevented if people talked to authority figures about warning signs, he continued.
"One hundred percent of recent school shooters gave some kind of warning," Kuntz said.
During the presentation, a Webster University Public Safety official described students who were reluctant to report incidents for fear of retaliation.
This report did not surprise Wahl or Kuntz. Most campuses have rules against bullying and other forms of intimidation, Wahl said. He likened them to the United Nations.
"It's a step in the right direction, but doesn't go far enough," he said.
Audience members participated in a question and answer forum after the lecture. Most questions focused on what individuals could do to prevent violence. Wahl and Kuntz suggested that students and faculty create an environment that makes bullying impermissible and be careful that they did not engage in more passive forms of bullying as well.
"(The lunch) was really informative, but a little too short" to adequately address all the issues raised, said Anika Bararito, a junior journalism major. She attended the event initially because of an extra credit opportunity.
Kuntz ended the luncheon with a call for those that attended to be "champions." Champions are advocates or groups that bring goodwill and prevention, he said.
Barb Stewart, a member of the accessibility committee, the group that organizes two of the Brown Bag Lunches a year, saw Wahl and Kuntz at an American Psychological Association event. She wanted to bring awareness of bullying to the college level.
"It's important to us on the committee that campus is inclusive and diversity is respected," Stewart said.
Early Warning Signs of Violence
•Social Withdrawal
•Feelings of isolation
•Feelings of rejection
•Victim of Violence
•Frequently Picked On
Wahl and Kuntz were careful to emphasize that most of the research available was based on K-12 statistics. They said very little research has been done on college-level violence and bullying, which makes them somewhat harder to combat. They said that bullying is often a warning sign of violence.
Kuntz and Wahl led a Brown Bag lunch on the prevention of violence in higher education noon Sept. 19 in the Library Conference Room.
A group of about 45 attended. Most were students, but some faculty and at least one community member of Webster Groves came as well.
"We're trying to deal with the front end rather than the back end of bullying," said Wahl.
Bullying encompasses a range of behavior, from verbal abuse to making a point to exclude someone from a group.
Kuntz stressed the impact violence has on learning. Up to a third of the brain shuts down for up to 72 hours after witnessing a violent act firsthand, he said. Lots of violence could be prevented if people talked to authority figures about warning signs, he continued.
"One hundred percent of recent school shooters gave some kind of warning," Kuntz said.
During the presentation, a Webster University Public Safety official described students who were reluctant to report incidents for fear of retaliation.
This report did not surprise Wahl or Kuntz. Most campuses have rules against bullying and other forms of intimidation, Wahl said. He likened them to the United Nations.
"It's a step in the right direction, but doesn't go far enough," he said.
Audience members participated in a question and answer forum after the lecture. Most questions focused on what individuals could do to prevent violence. Wahl and Kuntz suggested that students and faculty create an environment that makes bullying impermissible and be careful that they did not engage in more passive forms of bullying as well.
"(The lunch) was really informative, but a little too short" to adequately address all the issues raised, said Anika Bararito, a junior journalism major. She attended the event initially because of an extra credit opportunity.
Kuntz ended the luncheon with a call for those that attended to be "champions." Champions are advocates or groups that bring goodwill and prevention, he said.
Barb Stewart, a member of the accessibility committee, the group that organizes two of the Brown Bag Lunches a year, saw Wahl and Kuntz at an American Psychological Association event. She wanted to bring awareness of bullying to the college level.
"It's important to us on the committee that campus is inclusive and diversity is respected," Stewart said.
Early Warning Signs of Violence
•Social Withdrawal
•Feelings of isolation
•Feelings of rejection
•Victim of Violence
•Frequently Picked On
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