Warning Signs That May Precede or Be Indicative of Violent Behavior
Unfortunately, there is no proven method of predicting when someone may become violent. It is important to keep this in mind when attempts are made to identify warning signs. It is particularly important to consider the context of such warning signs. For example, voice tone, level of familiarity with the person making troubling statements, and the presence of other warning signs should all be considered. Below are some indicators that warrant closer attention and, potentially, preventive intervention.
- Making threats of suicide or statements about hurting one’s self, directly or through hinting.
- Making threats of violence, directly or implied.
- Expressing fascination with firearms or asserting ownership of firearms
- Having a known history of violence or behavior obviously insensitive to others.
- Preoccupation with television, music and/or stories about violence
- Identification with criminal or terrorist individuals, acts and/or philosophy
- Making references to with other incidents of publicized violence
- Maintaining preoccupation with other incidents of publicized violence (collecting articles and photos, showing fascination with perpetrators of these events, etc).
- Intimidating others, acting with belligerence or defiance toward others, frequently becoming confrontational
- Crossing professional and personal boundaries (e.g., excessive phone calls or e-mails and, impromptu visits, giving gifts inappropriately)
- Being easily provoked, showing sudden or erratic agitation with others
- Blaming others for anything that goes wrong and a failure to acknowledge any sense of responsibility for disappointments or difficulties.
- Showing recent marked academic (or job) performance decline
- Demonstrating notable changes in personality, mood or behavior (or erratic mood changes)
- Giving away personal possessions.
- Showing notable decline in personal hygiene and personal appearance
- Abusing alcohol or other drugs, particularly marked increase in substance abuse
In addition, listed below are some situational contexts that would not be considered warning signs in and of themselves. However, knowledge of such contexts might influence the level of risk indicated by other warning signs. Also, knowledge of some of these contexts may call for more proactive efforts to increase support may very well prevent violence against one’s self or others.
- Anticipating severe consequences such as failing out of school or impending expulsion due to serious conduct code violations (especially if shame or embarrassment is heightened due to situational and/or cultural factors).
- Suffering a lack of support regarding a history of actual or perceived victimization related to social/cultural identities (discrimination, bullying, or other forms of oppression around race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, mental functioning, etc).
- Facing severe stressors in their personal life (e.g., financial, family or marital problems)
If you are concerned about a student exhibiting some of these signs and you would like to consult with CAPS during regular business hours, please call 919-660-1000. After business hours, please page the Dean-on-Call at 919-970-4169 or call Duke Police at 919-684-2444. If your situation involves immediate danger, please dial 911.