School safety

Addressing exploitation involving youth is a top safety priority for B.C., and one that requires strong partnerships between schools, police, families and other members of the community. 

The K-12 Organized Crime & Exploitation Prevention Initiative is a key component of the erase strategy, supporting B.C. communities to help divert young people from exploitation by organized crime and on track for a brighter future. 9 school districts were selected to receive this specialized funding, including Cariboo-Chilcotin, Chilliwack, Delta, Fraser-Cascade, Pacific Rim, Prince Rupert, Saanich, Southeast Kootenay and Vancouver Island North.

This initiative aims to provide partnership and outreach support to communities at risk of exploitation by organized crime. This includes education sessions for school district staff, police, parents, students and community partners, and grants to support the development of local capacity.

Quick facts

• The average age when youth begin to associate with gangs is 13 years old (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, 2011)
• In 2022, youth 12-17 accounted for 11.7% of all Canadians accused of homicide - up from 4.5% in 2021 (Statistics Canada, 2023)
• In 2022, 34% of homicide victims in BC were involved in homicides linked or suspected to be linked to organized crime or a street gang incident (Statistics Canada, 2023)
• B.C.’s gang landscape is unique in that gang involvement cuts across gender, ethnic and socioeconomic lines.

What are some signs that my child might be involved in a youth gang?

• They have multiple cell phones and leave the house for short periods of time
• You’ve found drug paraphernalia at home, scales or small plastic baggies
• They claim to have a job but can’t answer questions about it
• They have access to a vehicle that they don’t own

Resources

Safe school teams across the province have access to resources, contact information and more through the K-12 Organized Crime and Exploitation Prevention Sharepoint website (secured access). Access to the website is restricted to safe school coordinators and their teams. Request access by clicking the link or contacting your district’s safe school coordinator.

A suite of online resources has been developed to increase awareness, knowledge and competencies related to gang and gun violence prevention in B.C. K-12 school communities. The resources are for educators and school support staff, parents and students.

Gangs and guns for all:  

Each Guide is comprised of four chapters supported by the videos below. 

• Student Prevention Guide (PDF)
• Parent Guide (PDF)
• Educator Guide (PDF)
• Educator Knowledge Check Guide (PDF)

Videos:

• Chapter 1: The Problem
• Chapter 2: Impact
• Chapter 3: Prevention & Education
• Chapter 4: Brothers in Arms: The Dhaks

Educator resources:

• Report It Tool Slideshow (PDF)
• Pathways to Youth Gang-Associated Behaviour Educator Guide (PDF)
• Understanding Youth in Gangs Lessons (PDF)

The Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol Guide for British Columbia (PDF) supports school districts in creating and maintaining local agreements with community partners to work together using the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) model. The guide outlines key components of a community VTRA protocol, and provides detailed information on the VTRA model including a complete VTRA tool kit with forms, checklists, tips and sample documents.
 

• Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol Guide for British Columbia (PDF)
• Principal’s Checklists - Immediate Threat/High-Risk Behaviour, Search and Seizure (PDF)

School safety is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation, collaboration and communication. Partnerships between schools and police play a particularly important role when it comes to preventing and responding to serious incidents involving:

• School violence
• Threats
• Other concerns related to student safety

Maintaining School Safety: A Guide for School and Police Personnel in B.C. (PDF, 1.3MB) supports schools and police across the province to provide consistent, coordinated and effective responses to school safety incidents. The guide is intended to help clarify roles, responsibilities and shared safety procedures; improve information sharing between schools, police and families; and support the development of local community protocols for violence and threat risk assessment
 

• La sécurité à l’école: Guide à l’intention du personnel scolaire et des services de police de la Colombie-Britannique (PDF)
• Communications Protocol for Unfolding Incidents at Schools (PDF)
• Communications Protocol for Threats Against Schools (PDF)
• Guide for Police Agencies Dealing with Youth Threat-Related Behaviour (PDF)