What to do when experiencing school violence?

bạo lực học đường - Ảnh 1. — Students of Tran Hung Dao Primary School (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) raise their hands to ask questions to guests at the program - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

The program took place at Tran Hung Dao Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The guests included Dr. To Nhi A, a psychologist, lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law; Master of Psychology Nguyen Hai Uyen, a psychological consultant at the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University); psychologist Dao Le Tam An, a graduate student in psychology at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education; journalist Hoang Huong, reporter for the Education Department, Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Ho Chi Minh City.

There are many ways to protect yourself such as running away, defending yourself, shouting loudly, finding a way to leave, reporting to the teacher... If the situation continues to happen, students must share with trusted people to handle it, such as sharing with parents to find solutions.

Doctor of Psychology TO NHI A (lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law)

Anxiety and insecurity in the community

Tuoi Tre newspaper reporters have compiled a series of school violence cases in recent times and this problem is a major challenge for the education sector and society. Speaking at the program, journalist Ha Thach Han - deputy general secretary of the Tuoi Tre newspaper editorial board - emphasized: "Violent behavior not only causes physical and mental damage to students, but also negatively affects the educational environment, causing anxiety and insecurity in the community".

Sharing and launching the book 'Skills to deal with school violence' for primary school students

But how can students recognize that they are experiencing school violence? Responding to psychological experts at the exchange, many students identified themselves as being subjected to violence through being "beaten", "having their hands cut off", "being body-shamed" (disparaging and mocking their appearance)...

However, according to psychology graduate student Dao Le Tam An of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education - one of the five authors of the book "Skills to deal with school violence", acts in schools such as torture, abuse, beating, physical and health abuse, insults, insults, insults, isolation, ostracism... are all acts of school violence.

Besides physical violence, there are also mental violence, social violence and cyber violence... Students need to identify all these types of school violence.

Equipping students with skills

When students are victims of school violence, what should they do? In an urgent situation, Dr. To Nhi A - co-editor of the book "Skills to deal with school violence" - advises students to "immediately know how to protect themselves".

How do you know if your friends are being bullied at school? In response to this question, students answered with three identifying signs. That is, the student will "not want to go to school", "have marks all over his body", "be scared and frown...". Psychologists agree with the above students' way of identifying their friends who are being bullied at school.

According to psychologists, when friends show signs of school violence, students should report to trusted, responsible people to help their friends escape the situation of school violence. Students always imagine the three most trusted people who can share about the problems they or their friends encounter in school violence.

The people you trust the most are your parents, teachers, and friends. If you want to "save your friends" in situations of school violence, you must tell the responsible people so that adults can find a solution.

In any case, Master of Psychology Nguyen Hai Uyen also advises students to have a clear attitude towards any acts of school violence by anyone towards themselves or their friends. Then they need to share with trusted people.

Besides trusted people like parents and teachers, there is a child protection hotline (111) that children can call at any time.

Launching the book series "Skills to deal with school violence"

At the exchange, the book series "Skills to respond to school violence" compiled by Tuoi Tre newspaper and Phuong Nam Education Investment and Development Joint Stock Company with two books for primary and secondary school students was launched.

The book is published by Education Publishing House and distributed by Phuong Nam Education Investment and Development Joint Stock Company; book and school equipment joint stock companies in provinces, cities and bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City. Readers can also buy the book online here.

The book series helps students understand school violence and provides situations for them to have skills to prevent and combat school violence as well as help them live with friends in harmony and warmth in an increasingly safer school environment.