WPXI-TV INVESTIGATIVE NEWS INTERVIEWS DR. SWEITZER
Contact:
Dr. Emily Sweitzer
724-938-4438
sweitzer@calu.edu
Posted on August 13, 2010
Dr. Emily Sweitzer, associate professor of justice and behavioral crime and director of the Justice
Studies program, appeared on WPXI-TV's
Aug. 23 newscasts as part of the channel's "Target 11 Investigates" series. Sweitzer
was interviewed by WPXI's Rick Earle for a report on violence in 11 of the
largest Pittsburgh area high schools. "The schools appear to be
doing an excellent job in identifying and reporting violations, as well as
recognizing and intervening in acts of violence," Sweitzer said. "We now need
to transition into an intervention stage and focus, which involves more intense
involvement of school, community, parents and programming." This is a significant
challenge, Sweitzer said. "This is difficult do,
because of funding constraints and curriculum mandates," she said. "We can
begin by trying, as much as possible and feasible, to link the consequences to
the inappropriate behavior - not just providing a discipline slip, but instead
using this as an opportunity to educate and teach appropriate behavior
responses." Sweitzer emphasized that she
regularly incorporates information about specific aspects of school violence in
all of her classes, such as conducting threat assessments; identifying
personal, familial and situational risk factors; and understanding the nature,
catalysts for and consequences of youth violence. Click here to see the investigative report and interview with Dr. Sweitzer
Sweitzer was asked to analyze various
state school violence reports and comment on school violence and intervention
strategies. Her analysis found that students ages 14-18 have the greatest
number of behavioral violations and truancy issues.
