THE STUDENT VOICE

Violence Prevention Week surveys show effectiveness

Sunday, December 05, 2010 By Shane Africa and Richard Galvez

Students have seen less violence since Violence Prevention Week, according to a poll conducted by the Student Voice. A survey created by Robert Donnelly and his sociology class and given during Violence Prevention Week showed, however, that many students have experienced acts of violence. Forty-seven percent of students who took the Student Voice survey said there has been less violence since Violence Prevention Week, while 32 percent said there has been no difference. Nine percent said there has actually been more violence. Six percent responded that there has “sort of” been a difference; another six percent said that they were “not sure.” While the Student Voice’s survey asked about violence rates in the school, Donnelly and his sociology classes created a 24-question survey that was given to homeroom classes on the Monday of Violence Prevention Week. Donnelly’s survey asked students questions about different acts of violence. According to the survey, 55 percent of students said that there isn’t a bullying problem in the school, while 45 percent said that there is. Donnelly’s survey also asked if play-fighting leads to real fighting. Seventy-nine percent said it does, while the other 21 percent said it does not. The violence rate in the school isn’t high compared to other schools in Jersey City, according to some students. Freshman Regina Manalo said this school has less violence compared to others. “This school seems pretty small and calm compared to other schools, so this school should have less violence because of the small amount of students,” Manalo said. She said she has seen a small number of fights in the school, most of which she claimed was just play fighting. Freshman Jhoeann Domingo said that students need time to recognize Violence Prevention Week’s effects. “I didn’t see any changes so far, it’s too early to tell what will happen,” Domingo said. “A bigger school has a higher chance of having more violence because there are more students in those other schools and it’ll be uncontrolled.” Sophomore Jason Negron said that Violence Prevention Week will have an effect on the school in the future and that the reason for violence is for popularity. “This school doesn’t have that much violence, and I think bigger kids bully and cause violence to get themselves fame,” Negron said.