Sue Scheff: Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is a non-profit organization that promotes the virtues of civility and respect by helping students of all ages learn how to care for other people. SAVE's mission is to decrease the potential for violence in schools and communities by promoting meaningful student involvement, education and service opportunities in efforts to provide safer environments for learning.

Read more and watch slideshow -click here.

Sue Scheff: Florida Gang Reduction

Florida Gang Reduction organization was formed to help reduce gangs in Florida. This Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan for communities to develop specific solutions to dramatically reduce gang membership and gang-related activities by:

• Empowering youth to lead productive gang-free lives;
• Improving law enforcement suppression efforts; and,
• Addressing rehabilitation and re-entry issues.

The Strategy calls for the formation of seven Gang Reduction Task Forces throughout the state of Florida.

The prevalence of gangs and gang-related violence in Florida is a growing threat to the safety and security of all Floridians. Law enforcement alone cannot stop the threats to public safety brought about by gang violence. In order to achieve real impact in the reduction and deterrence of gang-related crime and violence, targeted response must involve the active engagement of local and state leaders from the faith-based community, education, prevention and intervention organizations, the business community, criminal justice, government, and other concerned citizens.

Learn more at http://www.floridagangreduction.com/

Sue Scheff: Thats Not Cool

ThatsNotCool.com

Your cell phone, IM, and social networks are all a digital extension of who you are. When someone you're with pressures you or disrespects you in those places, that's not cool.

IS THIS ABUSE?

Recognizing Abuse?
Not sure if a situation is abusive or not?
Ask yourself if your boyfriend or girlfriend:

is overly jealous or possessive?
puts you down or criticizes you?
threatens or scares you?
hits, slaps, pushes, or kicks you?
controls where you go, what you wear, or what you do?
tries to stop you from seeing or talking to friends and family?
tries to force you to have sex?

What Can You Do...If you're being abused?

Call the police if you are in danger and seek medical attention if you are hurt.
You are not alone and the abuse is not your fault.
Talk with somebody you trust: a friend or relative, someone from school or your community.
Think independently. Remember that you are the expert about your own life. Don't let anyone talk you into doing something that's not right for you.
Have a safety plan in the event you are abused again.

Here are some tips.

Find out more about being a Tech Savvy Teen

If you think you're being abusive?
Know that there are people and organizations that are equipped to help you.
If you truly care for someone, you will not allow him or her to be abused, by you or anyone else.
Talk to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, or someone you respect, like a teacher or counselor at school. Ask his/her honest opinion about your behavior.

If your friend is being abused?

If necessary, help your friend get medical attention. Encourage your friend to contact a professional or an adult they trust for help.
Offer your unconditional friendship and support. Be clear that you are there to listen, and not to judge.
Tell your friend it's not his/her fault.
Don't spread gossip. This could make your friend's situation more dangerous.
Don't try to confront the abuser or rush your friend into a decision he/she isn't comfortable with.

If your friend is abusive?

Visit http://www.thatsnotcool.com/Help.aspx for advice and answers to the above concerns.

Sue Scheff: April Showers - Film on School Violence and Safety

Today we hear about school violence, bullying, cyber-tragedies, teens hurting teens, and more. Do we need a tragedy or the news to remind us to be nice to each other? Do we need another teen suicide to help us better understand that sticks and stones can hurt your bones, but words can also break your spirit and your bones. Emotional damage that needs to be addressed before it escalates to a bad ending.

April Showers is a film that will take you through the horrific events of a school tragedy through the eyes of a survivor. Based on actual events, this film acts as both a tool and a story to help educate parents, teachers, teens, kids and anyone working with children. This excellent film outlines how bad things can happen to good people. How no one is immune to tragedy, however everyone has an opportunity to make a difference and make their school and community a safer place.

One of the last lines in the film is, "I'm sorry, I just always thought we had more time...." Don't wait until you are saying this line. Be proactive; learn about school safety and take the time to be a friend to someone who needs one.

Your can order April Showers on Amazon, Netflix, and most places were DVD's are sold.
Learn more about School Safety Partners.

Visit the official April Showers website at http://www.aprilshowersmovie.com/ and be sure to watch the trailer on Examiner and follow them on Twitter @AprilShowersMov.

Peace Geek - Promoting Peace for our Teens and Stamping out Violence

Make Peace a Priority

Insightful analysis of random news stories related to violence and nonviolence in the U.S. and abroad, with an emphasis on what can be done to make things better (with some occasional humor and random acts of journalism mixed in).

Visit http://www.peacegeek.blogspot.com/ for many information and insightful articles, thoughts and more on stopping teen violence and violence today

Sue Scheff: Preventing Hazing by Susan Lipkins

Preventing Hazing: How Parents, Teachers, and Coaches Can Stop the Violence, Harassment, and Humiliation by Susan Lipkins

Preventing Hazing is the first and only book on hazing to include methods and techniques to help parents, teachers, and coaches prevent hazing in their communities. Writtenwithclarity and passion, this much-neededbook uncovers the deep roots of hazing, how and why it permeates schools, colleges, and communities year after year. Readers will learn how to recognize the warning signs, what do if a child/student has been involved in a hazing (either as a victim, bystander, or perpetrator), how to deal with the moral, legal, and emotional aspects of hazing, and, ultimately, how to heal and move forward both as an individual and as a community. True stories from across the United States are interspersed throughout the book to underline the severity and prevalence of the problem.

Type the title in the Amazon Box on the side bar and get more information!