Student Violence Threat Risk Assessment

Elk Island Public Schools is committed to creating and maintaining school environments in which students, staff, parents/guardians and others feel safe. Schools cannot ignore any threats of violence.

The complete Violence Threat Risk Assessment protocol.

What is a duty to report?

To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/guardians, students and community members must report all threat related behaviours to the school principal.

What is a threat?

An expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something
May be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the Internet, or made by gesture

What behaviours warrant a Student Violence Threat Risk Assessment be initiated?

Serious violence or violence with intent to harm or kill
Verbal or written threats to seriously harm or kill others or cause significant property damage (clear, direct, plausible)
Internet, website and social media threats to seriously harm others
Possession of weapons—including replicas
Bomb threats—making and/or detonating explosive devices
Fire setting
Sexual intimidation or assault
Extreme cases of bullying and harassment
Gang-related intimidation and violence
Rehearsal behaviours or evidence of planning
Hate incidents motivated by factors such as race, culture, religion or sexual orientation

What is the purpose of a Student Violence Threat Risk Assessment?

To ensure and promote the emotional and physical safety of students, staff, parents, the student making the threat, and others
To ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat
To understand the factors that contribute to the threat maker’s behaviour
To be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the threat maker
To promote the emotional and physical safety of all

Who is on a threat assessment team?

Each school has a multi-disciplinary VTRA team who have received training from the Canadian Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response. The team may include the school principal or assistant principal, school counsellor, EIPS Supports for Students consultant, the RCMP, Alberta Health Services Mental Health, Children’s Services, the student, parents/guardians and others.

Can I refuse to participate?

It is important for all parties to engage in the process. If for some reason there is a reluctance to participate by the threat maker or parent/guardian, the threat assessment will continue to ensure a safe and caring environment for all.

Who are the partners?

Education partners are committed to creating and maintaining school environments in which students, staff, parents/guardians and others feel safe. Elk Island Public Schools, Elk Island Catholic Schools, and New Horizons School are education partners in our region.

Government agency partners play an active role in a comprehensive intervention plan to support our young people. The RCMP, Alberta Human Services Addiction and Mental Health, and Children’s Services are key to determining the level of risk a young person may pose.

Community Agency partners provide services that are regularly included as part of the intervention plans. Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, Lamont County and Vegreville support this co-ordinated response to any violence or threats of violence.

What do parents and students need to know.

Any threat must be reported to the school principal
Investigation may involve the school counsellor, the police, or other community agencies
Investigation may involve locker or personal property searches
Interviews will be held with the threat maker and other students or adults who may have information about the threat
Parents of students who are directly involved will be notified
Threatening behaviour may result in disciplinary action
An intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats

The Canadian Centre for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response has completed extensive research in youth and school violence. Kevin Cameron, the director, has trained local partner personnel in the use of the protocol.

Community Supports

For more information contact:
Elk Island Public Schools – Supports for Students
Phone: 780-464-3477
Email: Contact us