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Health & safety of students and staff should be the top priority for every school.

When schools provide a secure environment, students can focus on learning, building friendships, and developing the skills they need for a bright future. Ideally, schools are a place where children can thrive.

But unfortunately, school can also be a place of fear and danger for many students.

Violence in school is a harsh reality that includes bullying, harassment, and even physical harm from peers or, in some cases, teachers. This troubling situation highlights the serious need for strong safety measures to protect students from violence in schools. Thus, schools must adopt comprehensive strategies to effectively address these threats.

In this blog by Wihkum, we’ll explore how schools can prevent violence and protect students. We’ll also introduce you to an emergency response app – a powerful tool that empowers school communities to enhance their safety protocols. Our app offers schools the resources they need to manage risks and maintain a safe environment, whether it’s dealing with bullying, responding to medical emergencies, or confronting potential threats on campus.

With Wihkum, support for school students is always just a tap away, ensuring help is available whenever it’s needed. So, keep reading to learn more about how schools can protect their students from violence and how Wihkum plays an important role in your school’s safety strategy.

The Impact of Violence on Students

The effects of violence in school are more than just an immediate physical harm.

Students who experience or witness violence can suffer from long-term psychological issues, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their academic performance can decline. They can be disengaged from school activities. In severe cases, the trauma can lead them to more serious mental health issues. Thus, these threatening scenarios require ongoing support and safety assurance.

Before jumping onto the strategies, it’s important to understanding the different types of school violence first. That way it would be easy to implement effective child protection policies.

So, let’s have a quick look at them:

Different Types of Violence in Schools

  • Bullying and Harassment: Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional, and it often leads to severe psychological distress. Harassment can also be based on race, gender, or other characteristics, creating a hostile environment for the victim.
  • Physical Fights: Physical altercations between students can range from minor punch-ups to serious fights that result in injuries.
  • Weapon-Related Incidents: The presence of weapons in schools, whether brought by students or outsiders, intensifies the potential for harm. These incidents can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, making safety for teachers and students a critical concern.
  • Cyberbullying: With the rise of digital communication, cyberbullying has become a growing concern. It involves the use of electronic means to harass, threaten, or humiliate another student. This has devastating effects on the victim’s mental health.
  • Gang-Related Violence: In some areas, gang-related activities spill over into schools. This leads to violent conflicts that threaten the safety of the entire school community.

Learn more about: School Violence in WA: Protect Staff & Students with Wihkum App

Effective Strategies for Protecting Children from Violence in School

Schools must take proactive steps to create a safe and supportive environment. This includes implementing protective education programs that teach students about safety, respect, and how to seek help when needed. Additionally, schools should establish clear policies for dealing with violence and ensure that all staff members are trained to respond effectively to incidents.

To effectively address violence in school, schools must adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes prevention, intervention, and response strategies.

Here are some key strategies for enhancing safety in schools:

  • Executing a Protective Education Program

Child Protective Education Programs are designed to teach students the skills they need to stay safe and protect themselves from harm. These programs cover a range of topics, like:

  • recognizing and reporting unsafe situations
  • importance of respecting others
  • strategies for dealing with bullying or harassment

Empowering students with all this knowledge, schools can reduce the incidence of violence and create a culture of safety.

  • Providing Support for School Students

Students who have experienced violence need consistent support to help them heal and do well in school. This can include access to counseling, peer support, and mental health resources. It’s also important for schools to train teachers and staff to recognize signs of trauma and offer the right kind of help.

To empower students and meet these needs, schools should:

  • Create a school culture where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
  • Educate students about their rights, especially their right to:
  • Be protected from harm
  • Speak on matters that affect them
  • Be healthy and safe
  • Receive important information
  • Encourage friendships and peer support to help students feel safe and connected.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers are aware of the signs of harm and know how to support students.
  • Offer age-appropriate programs and information on preventing sexual abuse, especially in settings like boarding schools.
  • Provide opportunities for students to participate in decision-making, boosting their confidence and engagement.
  • Include these practices in the school’s curriculum planning and other key documents to ensure they are consistently applied.Top of FormBottom of Form

Learn more about: What to Do in Case of an Armed Intruder?

  • Establishing Protective Factors in Schools

Creating a safe environment at schools involves a combination of physical security upgrades and clear, actionable procedures. This can include:

  • adding observation cameras
  • managing access to the school buildings
  • holding regular safety drills

It’s also essential for schools to have detailed emergency plans that guide everyone on what to do if violence occurs. Additionally, schools should teach students practical strategies to protect themselves, such as:

  • Knowing what actions to take when they feel unsafe.
  • Understanding how to report safety concerns.
  • Learning phrases to use if they need to speak up.
  • Practicing safe behaviors online.

Providing students with contact information for child support services or helplines is also important. Schools can offer a variety of age-appropriate books—both fiction and non-fiction—that explore themes like children’s rights, empowerment, cultural diversity, neurodiversity, and the representation of different sexual orientations and gender identities.

Moreover, it’s important to help students identify trusted friends and adults they can turn to if they have concerns. Empowering students with the knowledge that adults are responsible for their safety and that they have the right to be safe is key to building a secure and supportive school environment.

  • Implementing Anti-Bullying Policies

    Schools should have strict anti-bullying policies in place, with clear consequences for those who engage in bullying behaviour.

    These policies should be communicated to all students, staff, and parents, and enforced consistently. By taking a strong stance against bullying, schools can protect vulnerable students and promote a more positive school climate.

    Learn more about: Bullying in School | How to deal with being bullied

    • Engaging Parents and the Community

    Parents and the broader community play an important role in protection of students in schools. Schools should engage with parents to keep them informed about safety policies and encourage them to reinforce these messages at home.

    Community partnerships can also provide additional resources and support for school safety initiatives.

    1. Adopting the Safe Schools Declaration

    The Safe Schools Declaration is an international commitment to protect schools and universities from attack during armed conflict.

    While not all schools can be in conflict zones, adopting the principles of the Safe Schools Declaration can still guide schools in strengthening their policies and practices to prevent violence in schools. Committing to this declaration helps schools to protect students and uphold their right to education in a secure setting.

    • Training for Teachers and Staff

    Teachers and staff are often on the front lines when it comes to identifying and addressing violence in school.

    Providing them with comprehensive training on safety for teachers is important as well. This training should include how to:

    • reduce conflicts
    • recognise signs of abuse or distress
    • respond to emergencies

    When teachers feel equipped and supported, they are better able to protect students and maintain a safe learning environment.

    Learn more about: 15 Essential Security Measures To Improve School Security & Safety

    How Wihkum Helps Protecting Students from Violence in School

    We are dedicated to enhancing the protection of students in schools through our innovative emergency response app. Our app not only helps in preventing violence but also ensures that when emergencies do occur, the response is immediate and effective.

    Let’s see how:

    • Real-Time Alerts

    In the event of an emergency, the Wihkum app allows school staff to send real-time alerts to all relevant parties, including administrators, security personnel, and first responders. This ensures a coordinated and swift response, minimizing the risk to students and staff.

    • GPS Tracking & Geofence

    We use these advanced technologies to help schools monitor the location of staff and students during any violent situation. This ensures that all areas are accounted for immediately.

    • Customisable Emergency Procedures

    Schools can use the Wihkum app according to their specific needs by creating custom emergency response procedures.

    Whether it’s a lockdown due to an intruder or a need to evacuate due to a fire, the app guides users through the necessary steps, ensuring that no critical actions are overlooked.

    • Comprehensive Incident Reporting

    The app includes a feature for documenting incidents, making it easier for schools to track and analyse data on violence in school. This information can be used to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of safety measures at schools, and improve future responses.

    Let’s take your school’s safety measures to the next level.

    Protect Your School with Wihkum

    Don’t wait for an emergency to take action. Equip your school with Wihkum’s innovative solution and ensure that your students, staff, and community are protected.Download the Wihkum App now