Introduction

involves the publication of research and guidance for our public safety partners across the United States

Targeted violence encompasses multiple forms of violence that have impacted communities across the nation, including attacks targeting government officials, schools, houses of worship, and workplaces.

Over two decades of NTAC research has continually affirmed that targeted violence can be prevented when communities are equipped with the knowledge and resources to recognize the warning signs and intervene

In 2023, NTAC published Mass Attacks in Public Spaces: 2016 – 2020, a report that examined 173 acts of mass violence

examined 173 acts of mass violence perpetrated in public and semi-public spaces across the United States over a five-year period

One key finding from the study was that businesses were the most frequent type of location impacted by acts of mass violence

NTAC developed a project specifically aimed at understanding and preventing targeted acts of violence within workplace settings

to support organizational safety stakeholders in a variety of professional roles, including those responsible for management, security, human resources, information technology, cybersecurity, and insider threat

It is also intended for individuals with broader public safety responsibility, including state and local law enforcement, mental health professionals, and other community partners.

THIS PUBLICATION IS INTENDED TO ASSIST...

There is no specific demographic profile of an attacker.

Those who pose a risk of violence do not always make direct threats prior to an attack, but they often communicate their intentions to those around them.

Attackers often elicit concern from those around them because of their behaviors or communications.

Bystander reporting and intervention can avert planned acts of targeted violence.

Preventing targeted workplace violence is everyone's responsibility.

All employees, including supervisors, managers, front-line employees, and professionals in security, human resources (HR), and other positions and departments, have a role to play in violence prevention.

For many employees, this includes recognizing and reporting concerning behaviors they observe so action can be taken to intervene before violence can occur.

mass attacks perpetrated in workplace settings, including the background characteristics and behavioral history of the attackers

offer a scalable 8-step framework to assist organizations of differing sizes and resources to take proactive action and reduce the risk of targeted workplace violence

Targeted workplace violence can be defined as a premeditated act of violence perpetrated at a workplace, directed at a specific individual, group, or location, regardless of motivation and generally unrelated to other criminal activity.

This publication offers key research findings and operational guidance for preventing acts of targeted workplace violence.

This publication is designed to promote organizational safety by offering information and guidance that can be used to establish a program to proactively prevent incidents of targeted workplace violence.

A guide to implement an organizational behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) program based upon the proactive approach to violence prevention used by the U.S. Secret Service.

A premeditated act of violence perpetrated at a workplace, directed at a specific individual, group, or location, regardless of motivation and generally unrelated to other criminal activity.