Preventing and Recognizing Threats
Many behaviors and circumstances may indicate an increasing risk for violence. Recognizing and reporting early signs of a potentially dangerous situation is crucial to violence prevention. Your participation is the first step to keeping our campus safe. When concerned, you should always get in touch with University Police at 337.482.6447, by emailing police@louisiana.edu , by using the UL Shield app, or complete a Threat Assessment Reporting Form.
If you are comfortable doing so, you can also tell an individual who is exhibiting concerning behavior (but not actually threatening you or someone else) that you are concerned and ask if they need help. If they do, refer them to the below list of services for students and employees:
- For students – Counseling and Testing Center, 337-482-6480, counseling@louisiana.edu
- For students – Dean of Students Office, 337-482-6276, deanofstudents@louisiana.edu
- For employees (faculty and staff) – Contact Human Resources at 337-482-6242 or humanresources@louisiana.edu
Threatening behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Physical actions short of actual physical contact and/or injury, such as moving closer aggressively, waving arms or fists, yelling in an aggressive or threatening manner
- General oral or written threats (in any medium, including email and social media) to people or property, such as, “You better watch your back” or “I’ll get you” or “I’ll ruin your car”
- Threats made in a “joking” manner
- Stalking behavior
- Implicit threats, such as, “You’ll be sorry” or “This isn’t over yet”
Other potential warning signs for violent behavior:
- Explicit statements about harming someone
- Social isolation
- Changes in behavior (sudden or otherwise)
- Change in academic performance
- Unexplained absenteeism
- Increase in alcohol or drug use
- Anxiety or uncertainty about family/relationships/situations
- Explicit statements about harming someone
- Attempts to harm or kill self
- Conflicts with others
- Lack of energy or chronic fatigue
- Bizarre behavior
- Change in appearance/declining hygiene
- Sending disturbing messages (i.e. texts, e-mails, letters) to students/staff/faculty.
- Suicidal thoughts
- Displays paranoia
- Alienates him/herself from others/family
- Loss of job/income/relationship
- Disruptive behavior/irritability/abrasive towards another
- Coursework content that is alarming
- Depression or nervousness
- Identifying with other persons who engaged in past violence toward others
- Making statements that support the use of violence to resolve issues