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) raised 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 psychology 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 escape, or reporting to a teacher. If the situation continues afterward, students should share it with trusted people, such as their parents, to find solutions.

Dr. TO NHI A, psychologist (lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law)

Anxiety and unease in the community.

Tuoi Tre newspaper reporters have compiled a series of school violence cases in recent times and this problem is a big challenge for the education sector and society. Speaking at the program, journalist Ha Thach Han - deputy general secretary of Tuoi Tre newspaper - 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 for Coping with School Violence' for elementary school students.

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

However, according to Dao Le Tam An, a psychology graduate student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and one of the five authors of the book "Skills for Coping with School Violence," behaviors in schools such as harassment, abuse, beating, physical harm, insults, defamation, isolation, and ostracism are all acts of school violence.

Besides physical violence, there is also psychological violence, social violence, and cyberbullying... Students need to be able to identify all these types of school violence.

Equipping students with skills

What should students do when they experience school bullying? In such urgent situations, Dr. To Nhi A – co-editor of the book "Skills for Coping with School Bullying" – advises students to "immediately learn 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", "body covered with scars", "fearful and grumpy...". Psychologists agree with the above students' way of identifying 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 three most trusted people who can share about the problems that they or their friends encounter in school violence.

The people children trust most are their parents, teachers, and friends. If they want to "save a friend" in situations of school bullying, they must speak to those in charge so that adults can find a solution.

In any case, psychologist Nguyen Hai Uyen advises students to have a clear stance against any acts of school violence against themselves or their friends. Afterward, they should share this with trusted individuals.

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

Launch of the book series "Skills for Coping with School Violence"

At the event, the book series "Skills for Coping with School Violence," compiled by Tuoi Tre newspaper and Phuong Nam Education Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, consisting of two volumes for primary and secondary school students, was launched.

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

This book series helps students understand school violence and presents scenarios to help them develop skills to prevent and combat school violence, as well as helping them live harmoniously and warmly with their friends in an increasingly safe school environment.