MANHATTAN, Kan. – Some violent attacks in U.S. schools have raised concerns for many parents, teachers and community leaders about their children's safety. But schools are still safe and violent attacks are still rare, according to a Kansas State University human development and prevention specialist.

Elaine Johannes said shootings and killings at schools are not increasing in number; rather, the awareness and location of these attacks have changed.

"Schools are still safe. Yes, we have had anomalies of mass murder in schools, but statistically violent episodes in schools have decreased," said Johannes, who is with K-State Research and Extension. "The awareness of these violent acts has increased, due partly to the magnitude and new locations of these attacks."

Violence in schools is not a new phenomenon, but what has garnered attention lately is that more and more of these attacks seem to affect mostly white students or students who attended suburban or rural schools, Johannes said.

However, according to a 2001 report by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, youth at greatest risk of being killed in school-associated violence are from a racial or ethnic minority, senior high schools and urban school districts.

Attorney General Satcher also said in the 2001 report that risk factors do not operate in isolation. The more risk factors a child or young person is exposed to, the greater the likelihood that he or she will become violent.

Johannes said violent behavior does not originate from one source, nor is it due to one activity; rather, it is a result of a number of factors, including school environment, physiological disorders, media influence, home environment, weapon availability and other sources. After-school programs, conflict resolution classes and anti-violence mobilization campaigns strive to eliminate one or more of those factors.

Johannes advises parents to do their part by being watchful, and knowing their kid’s interests and friends – even so, there are no guarantees for the safety of their children. Adults in the community can also help stop the violence, by working to change community and social norms, examine the risks that cause kids to act out and look at adult contributions to the problem.

"Don’t feel overwhelmed. You can do something; you can intervene at any time," she said. "This is not a one band-aid thing. There is not one magic solution to end youth violence; you have a responsibility to make a change wherever you are."

If parents, teachers, community leaders and government entities continue to work together, Johannes is confident that youth violence will continue to decrease. But, she adds, society must strive to keep from becoming desensitized or lax towards youth violence.

"Violence has knocked on our doors enough to make us pay attention to our kids and to our own behavior," Johannes said. "Right now I feel positive about the potential to stay on the right path, but our society has a short term memory. I hope we will continue to put forth the effort and attention to prevent youth violence."