The role of schools in preventing and reporting violence and abuse of children - Voices from teacher students and young people

By taking its starting point in two research studies, this presentation will focus on the role of schools in preventing and reporting violence and abuse of children and young people. In one study, 22 Norwegian young people... [ view full abstract ]

By taking its starting point in two research studies, this presentation will focus on the role of schools in preventing and reporting violence and abuse of children and young people. In one study, 22 Norwegian young people (age 13-17) were interviewed about their exposure to violence, the barriers for seeking support, and their views about intervention and prevention was explored. The interviews were analyzed using a framework analysis (Srivastava and Thomson, 2009). In the second study, a web survey, focusing on how much teaching students studying to become teachers have received when it comes to physical and sexual abuse of children, was answered by a total of 386 students from nine universities in Norway. The answers were processed in SPSS. The students also had the option of writing comments at the end of the survey. The 127 comments were systematically analysed, using a thematical analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The results show that 30% of the teachers receive no teaching on violence and abuse of children during their four year education, and the students who do get teaching report it is seriously lacking in quantity and continuity. In contrast, the interviews with the 22 young people showed that school was the most frequently mentioned arena where young people thought violence prevention work should take place. Young people suggested a number of ways in which schools could engage in preventive activities. One of the main barriers for seeking support was that teachers lacked necessary knowledge about violence. The findings of teachers’ limited education on violence and abuse of children, and young peoples’ wishes for teachers and schools to address this topic, will be discussed in the light new policies in Norway emphasizing the responsibility of all professional groups who meet children in their everyday life in regards to reporting and prevention.