One way of watering down the effects of violence is to approach it in a more lighthearted way. I don't mean to say that you laugh when somebody has their arm sawn off, but you can diffuse fear with humour.
“Some of the speakers we bring on campus may not reflect official church teaching, but that's how it is.”
“Sci-fi conventions are probably the most fun, the most out-of-the-box, entertaining week or weekend you've ever had in your life.”