Campus Threat Assessment

Threat Assessment in Virginia

Over the past decade, the Commonwealth of Virginia has led the nation in efforts to implement threat assessment procedures in institutions of higher education and pre-K-12 public schools.  In 2008, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring public institutions of higher education to establish threat assessment teams with the goal of preventing violence on campus by assessing behaviors and intervening with individuals who may pose a threat to campus safety.  In 2013, the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation requiring all public school divisions to establish and operate threat assessment teams in support of their schools - making Virginia the first state in the country to require such action.     

With the requirement of threat assessment mandates, the General Assembly also directed the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS) to study the application and implementation of threat assessment, develop model policies, procedures, and resources on threat assessment, and provide training to support institutions of higher education and pre-K-12 public schools.  To satisfy these requirements, the VCSCS worked hand in hand with research partners, service providers, and subject matter experts to provide resources for schools, campuses, and law enforcement.  

Executive Directive Six (2023)

On October 31, 2023 Governor Youngkin issued Executive Directive Six (2023), "Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Religious Bigotry and Protecting the Freedom to Worship in the Commonwealth of Virginia". Directive #6 requires that "all public institutions of higher education that host residential student populations are hereby requested to submit promptly an updated comprehensive safety plan dedicated to the security of their students, including Jewish and Muslim students, and the specific system for the reporting of incidents, on their respective campuses to the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS) pursuant to § 23.1-805 of the Code of Virginia".  Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has created an electronic form to collect the required information. The form can be accessed by clicking here

Frequently Asked Questions