The Educational Psychology Service (YEPS) and the Counselling and Vocational Education Service (YSEA) of the Ministry of Education joined forces and prepared a common framework for dealing with serious incidents of violence and serious delinquent behaviour that occurs in the school premises.
This policy, which has been sent to schools to inform management and educational staff, aims to provide a clear framework of action for school units, strengthening existing protocols and ensuring immediate and effective intervention in cases of serious violence/delinquency. It is expected that the presence of a single policy will define common practices in relation to the identification of incidents, the appropriate management and the systematic monitoring and review of the procedures related to them.
As pointed out in the guide, the school system is a space where students are expected to assimilate knowledge, socialise and feel safe. However, the occurrence of incidents of violence and delinquency in the school environment can negatively affect the way the school operates, the emotional balance of students, teachers and the learning process in general. School violence refers to any form of violence (including school bullying) that occurs on the school premises, on the way to school or in school actions.
It is also noted that based on research data, it appears that incidents of violence and delinquency in the school environment are associated with low learning performance, low motivation to achieve and negative feelings in students. At the same time, research has shown that the lack of action in terms of prevention and intervention promotes an increase in incidence and intensity.
It is worth noting that this document of the two Services concerns the immediate management of serious incidents that imply danger, threat to life in the school environment or other school activities. Hence it is emphasized to schools that serious incidents of violence and delinquency within the school context are important to be separated from other mild forms of violence or incidents of school crises that occur in the school environment or during other school activities.
The concepts and definitions mentioned in the Policy document highlight the following:
Serious incident of violence/delinquency: Behaviours by an adult or minor during the operation of the school or during another activity of the school, which show at least one of the following characteristics:
>> Intense aggression (verbal violence, physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, online violence), which may harm the physical/mental health of another person(s) or at least imply a threat to the life of another person(s) or the same person.
>> Gross violation of school rules and/or state laws (possibly criminal offenses).
>> Strong need for immediate management, with the aim of protecting/safety the members of the school community and initiating legal procedures (implementation of relevant legislation), where the need arises.
>> Intense disruption, which cannot be dealt with by pedagogical measures or by applying the internal rules of the school unit.
>> Consequential need to inform other Services/Departments, based on Regulations/Legislation and depending on the nature of the incident (e.g. Police, Accident and Emergency Department (TAEP), Social Welfare Services (SWS), etc.).
Examples of serious incidents of violence/delinquency in the school premises include: Intense physical attack with or without aggressive objects (presence of intent to cause harm), threats to the life/health of another person(s) or the same person in the school area, destruction of property that implies at least a threat to life/health, behaviours that are contrary to current legislation and imply at least a threat to life (e.g. trafficking of illegal goods theft, etc.).
Mild incidents of violence and incidents of school crisis
Mild incident of violence: Mild incidents of violence and delinquency include behaviours that do not cause serious physical harm or intense mental distress to another person or other people. However, they cause disruption, which can be dealt with by pedagogical measures or by applying the internal regulations of the school unit. Mild incidents of violence do not imply a threat to the life of an individual(s).
Examples of mild incidents of violence/delinquency in the school environment are: Isolated verbal confrontations or isolated negative comments, light physical contact, without intention to injure or accidental physical contact, isolated fights between students expressed through social contact, verbal confrontation, violation of school rules, such as being late, refusal to cooperate, use of mobile phones, mild conflicts during social contact, in the context of the challenges of childhood / adolescence. In cases where an incident of violence/delinquency does not imply a threat to life in the school environment that needs immediate management, then pedagogical measures and the internal regulations of the school unit are applied.
School Crisis Incident: An event that is sudden, unexpected and has the potential to significantly affect the operation of the school, the health, safety and emotional balance of students and staff. A school crisis exists when the situation affects the entire school in terms of operation, implies present and future consequences, to the extent that the school needs support for the preparation of a rehabilitation plan. The intense emotional destabilization of a number of people is considered an indication of a school crisis, since it causes disorganization and the operation of the school is hindered. In cases of crisis, there is a strong feeling of insecurity and loss of control. Examples of school crises include: Violent/sudden death of a student or staff member or parent/guardian, cases of serious infections, serious injuries affecting a significant number of students, natural disasters, war and terrorism.
Cases of involvement of people with disabilities
The document also includes a section on the involvement in a serious incident of violence or serious delinquent behaviour of people with severe disabilities. In these cases, the Services recommend differentiation and application of an individualized approach, adding that "the specific educational needs of an individual/individuals require adapted pedagogical/psychological interventions at an individualized level". It is pointed out that in no case does the different approach aim at preferential treatment or stigmatization. On the contrary, the aim is to adapt the approach to the specific educational needs of each student, as defined by the legislative framework.
It is also stated that the application of the same measures as in other cases, without adjustment, can lead to unfair treatment, intensification of violence or worsening of difficulties and emphasizes that "the approach of students with disabilities, in case they are involved in a serious incident of violence, requires a demonstration of sensitivity, a pedagogical approach and scientific documentation. Such an approach ensures that their treatment is commensurate with their cognitive abilities and/or their skills for self-control and adaptation to the demands of the environment."
