This project began in response to Virginia’s 2008 law (§ 23-9.2.) requiring each public institution of higher education in Virginia to establish a violence prevention committee and a threat assessment team.

In partnership with the Virginia Center for School Safety and Virginia Department of Health, we convened a forum on college safety in July 2008 that was attended by representatives from 38 Virginia institutions. A report from the forum identified key issues and training needs for the development of college threat assessment teams. In spring 2009 we will present a series of workshops on college threat assessment, including a model set of guidelines and decision-making process. Information on the workshops will be announced by the Virginia Center for School Safety.

Youth Violence Project response to the Virginia Tech shootings:

Reactions to the Virginia Tech Shooting

Information about violence on college campuses

Our 2007 Congressional testimony on student threat assessment and campus safety

Our guest column on the Virginia Tech shootings for the American Psychological Association

Our discussion of the VA Tech shooting for the Washington Post

Resources on college safety:

Department of Health and Human Services' Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy

The Virginia Tech Review Panel Report

Virginia Tech Internal Reports

Coping tips for parents of college students from the American Psychological Association

Coping tips for parents of school-age children from the American Psychological Association