Victimological Measures for Preventing School Shootings: Expert View

The study aims to develop scientifically based victimological measures for preventing school shootings. It is an urgent issue nowadays as there are frequent attacks at educational institutions all around the world. However, it is not only the law enforcement agencies that must ensure the safety and security of citizens but citizens themselves can contribute to their safety. The expert survey method was used in this study. 214 respondents (investigators, interrogators, lawyers, and other practitioners) involved in crime control and prevention were interviewed during the survey. The article describes the most effective prevention measures taking into account the opinion of the respondents as well as the results of the authors’ analysis of the incidents which have taken place in the USA, Russia, Germany, and other countries. These measures include socialization of potential offenders; awareness-raising activities involving potential victims (students), highlighting the impropriety of such negative behavior as bullying; installation of classroom door locks; evacuation devices acquired by schools.