Fair Notice: Response to Threat Making Behaviour
The Chilliwack School District is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all staff, students, families and community members, and is a member of the Chilliwack Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA or ARTO) Protocol.
What is a Threat?
- A threat is an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something
- A threat may be verbal, written, drawn, posted electronically or made by gesture
- A threat may include any high-risk behaviour such as possession of a weapon
Threats must be taken seriously, investigated, and responded to appropriately.
What is Threat Assessment?
Threat assessment is a process that is followed when a school becomes aware of a threat made against a student, staff member, or the safety of the school building and its occupants. When a report of a threat is received and the threshold for the “Categories of Action” is met, the Chilliwack VTRA/ARTO Protocol will be activated.
The protocol helps schools and community agencies share important information when someone shows behaviour that may be unsafe. The protocol is a trauma-informed and equity-inclusion guided process designed to:
- Keep everyone safe
- Understand what may be causing the concerning behaviour
- View the Individual of Concern (IOC) as someone who needs help, not punishment
- Create a support plan that addresses emotional and physical safety
- Provide appropriate interventions, which may include discipline but always include support
- Protect the safety of the whole school community
It is not a disciplinary tool or response. Its purpose is safety, understanding, and support.
What Parents and Students Need to Know
- Any threat must be reported to the school administration, counselor or some other trusted adult
- Investigation may involve the police and / 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
- An intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats
Everyone Has a Duty to Report
Often when we hear in the media about a violent incident, we learn that the threat-maker had made threats in advance of acting violently. To keep our school communities safe, students, parents, staff and community members must report all threat-related behaviours and high-risk activities.
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