As lawmakers and commissioners grapple with what to do as next steps in the wake of Newtown, it is essential to understand what is known, and not known, about violence against children and mental health and their interaction. Failure to more fully educate ourselves and appreciate the need for a nuanced approach to both areas may lead unintentionally to adverse outcomes for children, even if motivated by the best of intentions.
For example, many are calling for an increased police presence in the nation’s schools. The appeal of deploying law enforcement to defend against external threats of violence is understandable but could come with its own dangers. The influx of officers might send the unintended and counter-productive message to young people that we expect them to become engaged in criminal behavior, a message that would have an even greater adverse effect on youth of color from marginalized communities who already are sent that type of message in so many subtle ways.
