The mass-casualty incident at Virginia Tech: Ten years later.

Abstract

This spring marks the 10th anniversary of the mass-casualty incident that occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on April 16, 2007. Our introduction to this special issue commemorates the incident and summarizes the impact of that event from the perspective of the authors, both of whom were involved in the aftermath of the incident. The authors summarize both the local impact and the national effect that resulted from the incident. The article provides a foundation for other articles in the special issue to further reflection upon the review and enhancement of campus threat assessment and management since the time of the incident at Virginia Tech.

School-Based Bullying and Teen Dating Violence Prevention Laws: Overlapping or Distinct?

“…Five of these jurisdictions had an “omnibus law,” meaning that it was reasonably broad and inclusive and took the form of a coordinated set of statutes and regulations addressing a wide variety of aggressive behavior, such as bullying, TDV, and gun violence (cf. school-based threat assessment legislation in Virginia; Deisinger, 2016). Two jurisdictions had distinctive or discrete laws, with coordinated sets of statutes and regulations, but with each set focusing on a singular type of school-based violence (e.g., a coordinated set of statutes and regulations for bullying and a separate coordinated set of statutes and regulations for TDV).…”

The mass-casualty incident at Virginia Tech: Ten years later.

“…Initially, the threat-assessment team at Virginia Tech focused on enhancing systematic approaches to identifying, assessing, and managing potential threats to the community; training for team members to enhance knowledge of skills; and building capacity to better manage and monitor identified concerns through case-management processes (Randazzo & Plummer, 2009). As the team systematized its processes, it also increased outreach and awareness to the campus community, leading to increased numbers of referrals for triage, assessment, and (where necessary) intervention (Deisinger et al, 2010).…”

Are We Ready in Case of a Campus Shooting?

“…Empirical data suggested both significantly increased incidence and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the after math of a mass shooting, including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, acute stress disorder, and alcoholrelated conditions, among survivors, victims/survivors' families and friends, as well as members of affected communities [7,8]. Similarly, ten years after the mass-casualty incident at Virginia Tech, researchers revealed both profound emotional and economic impact of the tragedy in addition to the extremely disturbing number of casualties [9]. The estimated cost of the tragedy itself and aftermath was about $48.2 million including funds to strengthen safety and security measures, emergency communications, mental health services, and support for survivors and families of victims [9].…”

“…Similarly, ten years after the mass-casualty incident at Virginia Tech, researchers revealed both profound emotional and economic impact of the tragedy in addition to the extremely disturbing number of casualties [9]. The estimated cost of the tragedy itself and aftermath was about $48.2 million including funds to strengthen safety and security measures, emergency communications, mental health services, and support for survivors and families of victims [9]. As the number of campus shootings increases, how well have institutions of higher education been prepared for an active shooter?…”