When Violence Becomes Entertaining: Recapturing Childhood and Adolescence
from the Toxic Influence of Violent Media

TORONTO, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - Violence in the media is pervasive. The destructive influence of violent music videos, video games, music lyrics, the Internet, and television programs is absorbed daily by our children and youth and is directly linked to safety in schools and in our communities. A coalition from trustee, parent, teacher federation, principal and student organizations from both public and Catholic systems, has been working together to build effective strategies to confront the problem.

"There is no question that parents and professionals who work with children and adolescents are gravely concerned about the potential harmful effects of media violence," said Dr. Peter Jaffe, professor at the Faculty of Education, Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children, University of Western Ontario. "Media Violence is increasing and becomes more graphic every year."

Solutions to the problem of media violence and its consequences rest in large part in prevention and education. To that end, the Ontario Teachers' Federation is sponsoring a conference titled When Violence Becomes Entertaining: Recapturing Childhood and Adolescence from the Toxic Influence of Violent Media which will be held from October 15 to 16 at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel, 655 Dixon Road www:otffeo.on.ca. Teachers representing every part of the province will be in attendance.

The conference features key leaders in the areas of anti-bullying and violence prevention, safe schools and media literacy who will share their expertise and explore the common elements of these challenges. A variety of violence prevention strategies and programs will be explored. Teachers will be provided with resources, such as the recently released Safe@School resource, as well as other practical tools and skills specific to their grade/course/level.

Some of the expert speakers at the conference include:

• Lt. Colonel David Grossman, Former West Point Psychology Professor, Professor of Military Science and former Army Ranger
• Craig Anderson, Professor of Psychology & Chair of the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University
• Dr. Charles Tator and former NHL Referee Ron Wicks, presenting a special session on the promotion of violence in sports
• A panel discussion, facilitated by award-winning CBC broadcast journalist Wendy Mesley, addressing the concerns of parents, students, activists, medical professionals, researchers, and law enforcement and education sectors.

For further information:

Ontario Teachers' Federation website:www:otffeo.on.ca

Contact:

Jeff Sprang

Ontario Public School Boards' Association

416-340-2540 (w), 416-903-3241 (cell)