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

NCJ Number
310818
Journal
Journal of School Violence Dated: 2025
Author(s)
John McCluskey; Guan Saw; Byongook Moon
Date Published
October 2025
Abstract

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.)