Student Violence Against Teachers in Large U.S. School Districts: Prevalence and Risk Factors

The present study investigated the risk factors of teacher victimization using multi-contextual criminal opportunity theory as a framework. A random sample of 2,266 teachers, surveyed across two waves of data collection, was used to explore victimization via physical assault, sexual harassment, and theft/vandalism. Consistent with previous research, we found a significant incidence of violence and aggression directed toward teachers. Approximately 1 out of 10 teachers in the sample reported a physical assault and sexual harassment victimization, respectively, in the 12 months prior to the survey, while more than a quarter of the sample reported incidents of theft/vandalism victimization. Multivariate analyses indicate that school context and environment have a strong impact on likelihood of victimization suggesting several pathways for intervention.

(Publisher abstract provided.)