February 23, 2023
Recent Gun violence in Michigan Raises Troubling Questions on Student Safety
G Gun violence in schools is a growing concern that has garnered significant attention in recent years. The tragic events of school shootings have left a profound impact on students, teachers, and families, and have raised questions about how to prevent these tragedies from happening.
The statistics are staggering. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 456 mass shootings in the United States in 2021 alone, with 24 of those occurring on school grounds. This means that students and teachers are forced to worry about their safety in what should be a safe learning environment.
School shootings not only have a devastating impact on the immediate victims and their families, but also on the entire community. Students who witness a shooting or who lose friends and classmates to gun violence can suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Teachers and staff members may also experience trauma and feel a sense of helplessness.
…more than a quarter of students who had the US as their second-choice destination cited safety as one of the reasons it was not their first choice…
A recent shooting at a Michigan State University, in which three American students were killed has raised more fear amongst stakeholders. While NGOs, and local groups are doing their bit to help people remain calm, fear persists, especially amongst foreign students in the States.
A Mauritius student studying in the United States recently expressed concern to the media about the ease with which guns are available in the United States, citing the unsettling possibility of becoming a victim of a shooting. This reinforces Simon Emmett's, CEO of IDP Connect, point about the significant concern students and parents have when choosing a study destination.
"Our most recent research, published in October 2022, revealed that more than a quarter of students who had the US as their second-choice destination cited safety as one of the reasons it was not their first choice; this compares to only 5% of students who felt the same way about the UK, Canada, and Australia," Emmett said in a statement to the press.
Although concerns have been raised about the increase in gun violence, WES has not conducted any recent surveys to determine if such fears have escalated. According to Anne Greenwood, a WES spokesperson, the organisation cannot provide any current information on the matter as no further surveys have been carried out since the report was published. However, an anonymous stakeholder has noted that this poses a significant challenge for US institutions. They must find ways to reassure students and their families that their safety is the top priority, both on-campus and in surrounding communities.
Posted in News and tagged News, USA, Student Safety, Gun Violence, Michigan State University, IDP
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