As part of the REsponding to VIolence against children in Schools and adjacent settings (REVIS) project, a new e-learning has been created to prepare trainers and teachers who will work with children to prevent and reduce peer violence in schools and other educational institutions.
The overall aim of the REVIS project, coordinated by Terre des hommes Hungary, is to prevent, combat and respond to violence among children by transforming social and gender norms and behaviours, as well as to create opportunities for children to challenge social and gender norms that lead to peer violence.
The course is intended for pedagogical specialists, psychologists and social workers working with children. It aims to enhance their ability to recognize and intervene in violence and the social norms that influence it. It also addresses how this negative behaviour can be redefined by focusing on positive norms for violence prevention. Furthermore, it provides specialists in schools with the tools to direct activities that would decrease specific forms of violence.
Although most professionals working with children are familiar with this topic, the information offered here is an important prerequisite and starting point for all activities in the field of prevention and intervention of all types of violence against children.
Matea Korda, one of Croatian trainers, said "It is important to sharpen our skills in recognizing various forms of violence against children, including more subtle types, in order to prevent them in time, and especially bearing in mind the negative consequences that exposure to violence has on children and young people."
The E-Module reviews the basic theoretical background related to social norms in general, as well as the different norms that are present among children that can be associated with supporting violence or preventing a response to violence. It also addresses the interconnectedness of different social systems in which people and norms exist.
"In addition to helping identify the social norms related to violence, the E-Module offers practical ways to shift negative social and gender norms. In the context of shifting social norms, an important role is placed on reference groups. Recognizing and understanding the role of reference groups in following social norms is extremely important for their successful change." said Mirna Čagalj Farkas, a trainer from Croatia.
The E-Module emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive norms and their promotion. Such an approach can strengthen further interventions aimed at reducing violence against children. Additionally, it provides the opportunity to learn more about practical strategies for shifting norms and specific activities you can carry out with your students to achieve positive change.
By approaching social norms, and addressing them as this E-Module proposes, experts can expect a broadening of perspectives on the topic of violence and social norms, as well as an increase in readiness and motivation to change negative social norms.
The course is available for anyone interested in the topic. Read more at the link below.
Co-funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme of the European Union (2014–2020)