Working Against Violence Everywhere

WAVE America Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What Is the WAVE America?
A: WAVE America, or Working Against Violence Everywhere, is a safe school leadership initiative for the youth of America. The WAVE America Program combines a unique Public Awareness and Educational Campaign with a toll-free, student tip line along with an extensive Web site designed to support student led initiatives. WAVE America is centered on the leadership principles of Resolve, Respect and Responsibility. Its aim is to give students, teachers, parents/guardians and other members of communities across America valuable tools to make their schools safer while promoting a positive message of personal and ethical responsibility. To learn more visit the What is WAVE area of the Web site.

Q: Who are the WAVE America Program Partners?
A: The WAVE America Program is a collaborative effort of the Center for the Prevention of School Violence (CPSV) and Pinkerton Compliance Services with input from the North Carolina departments of Public Instruction and Crime Control and Public Safety. The Center for the Prevention of School Violence is nationally recognized for its contributions in tracking school violence trends and its strides in developing school violence prevention strategies. Pinkerton Compliance Services has more than 20 years of experience in providing similar proactive programs for business and industry through its AlertLine® Communications Services. AlertLine® presently supports ethics, compliance, safety, loss prevention and other communication-intensive programs for more than 800 corporate clients representing more than six million employees in 75,000 locations worldwide.

Q: How can you make a difference?
As, a student, teacher or parent you can make a difference in helping to prevent school violence. One of the best things you can do to make your school a safer place is to communicate.

You and your friends can talk about how to prevent school violence and you can be a part of the solution by:

Deciding to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Talking about problems openly.
Treating others with respect.
Walking away from a fight.
Being responsible for your own actions by keeping the peace.

If you have concerns about your safety or the safety of any others at your school, talk to someone about it.

While you should talk to a trusted adult first, if you are unable or uncomfortable doing so, you can call the WAVE Line.

Q: What states are participating in the WAVE America program? TOP
A: Currently North Carolina is the first state participating in the WAVE America program and is the only state where an official WAVE America report can be filed. However, WAVE America is here to help everybody the best we can, no matter where they may be.

Q: How can Schools register? TOP
A: Currently only the state of North Carolina is participating in the WAVE America program. Eligible schools will receive an enrollment packet with instructions on how to complete registration. If your state or school district (outside of NC) is interested in participating in WAVE America, please complete the WAVE America Inquiry Form.

Q: What is the WAVE Line? TOP
A: The WAVE Line is a toll-free, confidential phone line that is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call the WAVE Line to report threats of violence, weapons on campus, or anything else that could hurt you or your school. Although you should always talk to a trusted adult first, there are lots of reasons why you might not be able to do that. If, for any reason, you don't want to talk to someone face to face, you can call the WAVE Line. You won't be required to give your name.

Q: Who should use the WAVE Line? TOP
A: Any student, parent, guardian, relative, or community member who knows of dangerous or illegal activity that has happened or is going to happen in any public middle or high school in the state of North Carolina, USA. Currently North Carolina is the first state participating in the WAVE America program and is the only state where an official WAVE America report can be filed. However, WAVE America is here to help everybody the best we can, no matter where they may be. area of the site to learn more about what can be done.

Q: What happens when you call the WAVE Line? TOP
Your call will go to a company working for your school. A person who has been specially trained to listen to your concerns will answer and ask questions like:

What school do you go to?
What are you concerned about?
What did you see or hear?
Have you discussed your concerns with a trusted adult?

The trained Communications Specialists (CS) will make handwritten notes as you talk. If necessary, the CS will ask questions to clarify details about the situation. You won't have to give your name, but your answers to these questions will help the WAVE Line provide your school with information they can use to take care of the situation you called about.

At the end of the call, the WAVE Line will provide you with a unique report number and a date to call back to find out what was done about the situation you reported.

What type of questions are callers asked? TOP
When the WAVE Line receives a call, the Communications Specialist answering the call will ask the following questions:

How did you obtain the information or become aware of the situation? What is your involvement in the situation, if any?

Have you witnessed the behavior or situation firsthand?

Who else knows about the situation? Who else has witnessed it?

If someone wanted to find out more about this or witness it firsthand, what should they do?

What physical evidence exists to support your claim? Are drugs, weapons, stolen items or cash from illegal transactions stashed somewhere? Are there letters, pictures, videotapes, etc. to support your claim?

When was the most recent time the behavior or situation was observed? When might it occur next?