National Youth Violence Prevention Week
Brady Center To Prevent Gun Violence Launches "Speak Up" Campaign To Save Lives
A targeted and innovative new public awareness campaign was launched by The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence yesterday as part of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, April 7-11. The public awareness campaign, referred to as SPEAK UP, enlightens students about potential ways they can help prevent violence, and features posters and poster contests, public service announcements, interactive BuzzFeed-style quizzes, as well as pledge drive and activity and resource kits.
According to data, in 4 out of 5 school shootings, the attacker told someone about their plan. The fact that advance knowledge often exists makes communication and transparency a key aspect of helping to reinforce a sense of urgency among those who have the ability to stop such violence.
“I always wish someone had spoken up if they saw any red flags with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, said Crystal Miller, survivor of the April 1999 Columbine shooting. “I don’t think in this day in age we can afford to be overly cautious. I want people to know that if there’s any hint of suspicion, they have a responsibility to speak up and talk to the authorities, even if it’s anonymously through a hotline.”
“I do believe there are always signs and red flags. I think people didn’t realize where things could lead in the case of Columbine,” Miller explained.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2014/04/08/national-youth-violence-prevention-week-brady-center-to-prevent-gun-violence-launches-speak-up-campaign-to-save-lives/