School threat assessment tool expanding in Saskatchewan

A new risk assessment tool is spreading to schools across Saskatchewan.

The Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) is a coordinated effort between teachers, principals and parents to identify threats in a school and de-escalate the situation before violence ensues.

Jason Young is the superintendent of the Northern Lights School Division. After hearing about the VTRA being introduced in schools in Saskatoon, it's something he wants to see in his school division, so incidents like this year's La Loche shooting don't happen again.

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Young said an assessment begins when a teacher or a student reports hearing a threat made by another student. The VTRA protocol begins with a series of questions posed to the student to identify the seriousness of the threat.

It can also include a visit to the child's home.

"One of the things I've discovered, in taking the training, [is that] sometimes there's evidence we can find in the bedroom of an individual who might be posing a threat," Young said.

He added that research from other school shootings has shown that potential shooters have often shown the weapon they intend to use to friends and have actually detailed their plan using a map or in journal entries, and that's why going to the child's home is such a big part of VTRA.

But it becomes tricky when dealing with parents.

"I think there would be reluctance from parents to let us in," Young said. "But when we approach the situation in a genuine and sincere caring manner to say we're concerned about their child and seek cooperation, then they might help us address a potential threat."

Would the VTRA training have made a difference in the deadly shooting that took place in January in La Loche, Sask.? That's a question Young asks himself daily.

"I think many people ask themselves that," he said. "I think having this protocol in place, having folks trained in the model will help us have more information so that we can react in a coordinated way."

Young said the VTRA system should be in place in the Northern Lights School Division by the fall.