There are many warning signs of potential violence that may be observed in the classroom or workplace. Knowing a colleague or student’s normal behaviors and observing signs of unusual behavior changes may give indications of potential for violence. Pay attention to how he/she speaks about work or class, comments about self, and statements about others or home life. The warning signs listed below are examples of characteristics you may observe in an individual that has a potential for violence. If you need further help, contact the WLU counselor at (304)336-8215, Campus Police at (304)336-8021, or in cases of immediate danger, contact 911.
Warning Signs of Potential Violence
- Personal life stressors such as financial, marital/relationship, or family issues
- Substance abuse problems
- Increased frustration with one’s circumstances
- Increased belligerence
- Obsession with a supervisor/coworker or professor/classmate, perceiving unfair treatment
- Recent marked decline in academic/work performance
- Less concern for appearance or personal hygiene
- Changes in personality, mood, and/or behavior
- Hypersensitivity to criticism, confrontational, easily provoked, unpredictable
- Excessive crying
- Preoccupation with weapons, antisocial behavior
- Direct or veiled threats to harm self or others
- Implicit threats such as “you’ll be sorry” or “this isn’t over”
- Preoccupation with other violent events
- Chronic blaming with no sense of personal responsibility
- Disregard of behavioral boundaries, such as excessive emails, phone calls, text messages, etc.
- Face-saving, attention-getting, manipulating, retaliating behaviors
- Cultural issue