How can we prevent violence?

As community members, we can all do our part to prevent violence.

• Use respectful language. Do not use language that slurs racial and ethnic groups or someone's sexual orientation, even if it is popular jargon and is not meant in that context, it is still hurtful.
• Do not laugh at or encourage jokes that are derogatory to races, ethnic groups, or someone's sexual orientation.
• Do not ignore situations where someone else is being hurt. Find help.
• Smile.
• Be a non-violent role model for children – yours and others.
• Be a proactive community member by organizing or participating in a neighborhood watch, National Night Out, or other community-based prevention event.
• Support legislators that help sustain violence prevention programs.
• Volunteer your time to organizations whose missions are to promote violence-free communities.
• Be a patron to stores, organizations, and venues that support peace and violence-free living.
• Do not be a consumer of media that depicts discriminatory, sexist, racist, or ageist plots.
• Encourage healthy self-expression by listening to others.