- Parents and representatives can go to various institutions if their children are victims of bullying | Main photo: Pixabay
*This report of The Diary was originally published on May 2, 2024
In Venezuela there are different mechanisms to deal with cases of bullying or bullying. However, legal experts consider that the country is working to establish an effective legal framework against this problem.
The lawyer and anthropologist Lourdes Pérez recalled that bullying can manifest itself in different ways. “The bullying “It is practically based on bullying, it can also be physical, psychological, verbal, social, sexual,” he explained in an interview for The Diary.
Another form of harassment mentioned by the expert is cyberbullying, which uses the Internet to “humiliate, threaten and intimidate children and adolescents.”
For her part, the lawyer and trialist from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) in Venezuela with a double degree, master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Malaga (Spain), Mayra Pascual, highlighted the importance of eradicating bullying, since it violates fundamental human rights.
“He bullying violates fundamental human rights, including the right to security and personal dignity. “Every person has the right to live free from harassment and violence,” he stated in an interview for The Diary.
Some signs of bullying in children
Pérez pointed out that the first thing that children and adolescents, who are victims of bullying, experience is anxiety and fear. For this reason, he insisted on the importance of strengthening children’s self-esteem.
“You have to be aware of why the child does not want to go to class, you have to be aware of that and why their performance may decrease. Parents should be aware of WhatsApp messages and empathize with their peers,” he added.
The causes of this behavior can also be a consequence of home education. “There are homes where, due to upbringing, the family practically does bullyingthen these behaviors are brought by the child to school,” said the lawyer.
What is the legal process to deal with the bullying?
When faced with a case of bullying, lawyer Lourdes Pérez believes that the first thing to do is go to a counselor and psychologist at the educational center.
“The school, through the community of parents and representatives or the committee made up of some teachers, should seek a solution to the problem,” he noted.
Pérez indicated that, in the event that this instance does not offer the answer, a greater route must be taken such as the action of a constitutional protection.
In a case of bullyingPérez recommended going to the following institutions:
-Council for the Protection of Children and Adolescents
-Children’s Ombudsman
-Public Ministry
-Community Learning Centers (Cecodap)
According to lawyer Lourdes Pérez, processing a case of bullying can take between 3 and 10 months because she assures that everything will depend on the “damage that bullying has caused to the subject.”
He also recalled that complaints can be made on social networks and the Citizen Services section on the website of the Ministry of Education and the Public Ministry.
The draft of the Peaceful School Coexistence Law
In 2022, the National Assembly approved in its first discussion a draft of the Peaceful School Coexistence Law. Pascual described it as “a significant step” for the protection of the rights of children and adolescents.
“The project contains 24 articles focused on good coexistence, peace, solidarity and respect, in order to eradicate bullying in Venezuela. In addition, it proposes the creation of the School Peaceful Coexistence Council,” he explained in an interview for The Diary.
However, he considered that the draft has some areas that can be improved and that “although it is progress, its success will depend on its effective implementation and the willingness to adapt it.”
Pascual pointed out among some of the aspects to improve the following:
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms: establish systems to monitor the effective implementation of the law and evaluate its impact on reducing bullying.
-Training and awareness: continuing training programs for educators, students and parents on the identification and prevention of bullying.
-Student participation: Include students in the development of policies and strategies to combat bullying, thus encouraging their commitment to creating a positive school environment.
-Psychological support: guarantee the availability of psychological support and counseling services for victims of bullying.
-Clear sanctions: clearly define the sanctions applicable to aggressors, ensuring that they are proportional and dissuasive.
Recommendations for parents
Pascual offered a series of recommendations so that parents can not only prevent bullying, but also create a safe and healthy environment for the development of children and adolescents. Among them stand out:
-Open communication: maintaining open lines of communication with your children is essential. “Ask about their daily life at school and be alert to any changes in their behavior or mood,” he added.
-Education and awareness: educate children about what bullying is and how they can protect themselves or seek help. It is important to teach them about respect and empathy towards others.
-Surveillance and monitoring: be attentive to warning signs such as sadness, irritability, isolation or changes in appetite and sleep, as they may be indicators that the child is being bullied.
-Emotional support: offer an environment of support and understanding at home. Make sure your child knows that they are not to blame for the situation and that they have your unconditional support.
-Collaboration with the school: work together with the educational institution to address the problem. Schools have protocols for handling cases of bullying and can take disciplinary action against bullies.
-Complaint and legal advice: if the bullying persists or is serious, consider seeking legal advice. This measure is to understand the options and actions that can be taken to protect your son or daughter and hold perpetrators accountable.
-Help lines: use the available help and support lines, such as the 0800-BULLING line (2855464) of the Public Ministry. By contacting this number, you can receive attention and guidance on how to proceed in cases of school violence.
-Quality time: dedicate quality time to children so that they feel valued and confident. This may include joint activities or simply listening to them talk about their interests and concerns.
What should schools do to deal with the bullying?
Lawyer Lourdes Pérez stated that it is necessary to create Protection Programs framed in positive discipline.
“Raise awareness not only of the person who is being subjected to bullyingthe victim, but also the spectator, that person who watches and does not intervene. Educating will allow us to distinguish and recognize harassment,” he noted.
For her part, lawyer Mayra Pascual reiterated the importance of educational institutions implementing a series of measures to prevent and address these cases:
-Establish clear policies and action protocols against bullying, which are known by the entire educational community.
-Train teaching and non-teaching staff in the identification and management of safety situations. bullying
-Report channels: provide safe and confidential channels so that students and parents can report cases of harassment without fear of retaliation
-Early intervention: act quickly and decisively at the first signs or complaints of harassment, to prevent the problem from escalating
-Community inclusion: involve the educational community, including parents and students, in creating an inclusive and respectful school environment.
-Support for victims, both psychological and emotional
-Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the policies and strategies implemented by schools to evaluate their effectiveness and make adjustments when necessary
In conclusion, both specialists highlighted the importance of creating safe and respectful environments that contribute to eliminating bullying, a problem that they consider has a significant impact on children and adolescents.
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T=”https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3-1200×900.jpg 1200w, https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3-300×225.jpg 300w, https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3-768×576.jpg 768w, https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3-1536×1152.jpg 1536w, https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3-150×113.jpg 150w, https://eldiario.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bullying-acoso-escolar-3.jpg 1600w” sizes=”(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px”/> -Promote a culture of respect: Foster an environment where respect and kindness are the norm, acknowledging positive behavior among students and reinforcing these values in the curriculum. -Evaluation of interventions: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of implemented policies and programs, making necessary adjustments based on feedback from the school community to ensure continual improvement. a collaborative effort involving parents, educational institutions, and the community is essential to successfully combat bullying and create a safe learning environment for all students.
