Research data suggest that the public overestimates crime in schools, that this overconcern results from politicians' scare tactics to support policies for stricter punishment, and that the media abet these tactics. The data also reveal that school administrators therefore reject research revealing the success of violence prevention and treatment programs and that the result is more punitive approaches. However, many students experience both physical maltreatment from staff in the form of corporal punishment and psychological maltreatment in the form of ridicule, excessive criticism, and other emotional abuse. The use of strip searches and undercover agents also have the potential to cause serious emotional harm to students and may generate misbehavior, aggression, and violence. Sexual harassment is also receiving increasing attention. Solutions to the problems of institutional abuse include the elimination of corporal punishment; recognition and elimination of emotional abuse in the classroom; avoidance of extremely intrusive measures to address most concerns about drugs and weapons; establishment of appropriate policies and training on sexual harassment; and adequately supported programs of drug and violence prevention, recognition, and treatment. 138 references