Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Wednesday that all children who are either victims of violence or involved in acts of violence will benefit from therapy sessions covered by the state. Psychologists say the measure represents “a need for a healthy society“.
Both the victims and the aggressors suffer, when we talk about violence in schools – Photo Archive
“We complete the set of measures to combat school violence through a National Plan for a Safe Education Environment. All children who are victims of violence or involved in such an act receive specialist support and we arrange therapy sessions for them“, said the prime minister before the government meeting.
In addition, the Government will organize training sessions for teachers, aimed at improving the management of violence situations in schools.
“We organize training courses for teachers and an online library of content dedicated to combating violence in schools.Marcel Ciolacu added.
The measures come in the context in which the Save the Children Organization warns that 1 out of 2 students is threatened, humiliated or physically assaulted, and 4 out of 5 students witness bullying situations in school.
Care for society
The measures announced by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu are welcomed by psychologists. Therapy helps prevent and treat trauma, both for victims and perpetrators, they say.
“Whether they settle for therapy sessions or counseling is tremendously good, because a lot of children who are victims of abuse are children who may not be able to afford to go to a psychologist’s office and pay for the necessary therapy sessions. It is not a gesture of generosity, it is a need for a healthy society.”, Keren Rosner told “truth“.
In addition, the psychologist emphasizes the importance of access to specialized literature.
“The fact that they will make specialized literature available is very good because it will be available to be read by older students and teachers and managers who will perhaps understand this phenomenon better and intervene early when it is necessary to violence or potential violence. So the abused children, the victims, will be protected.”, emphasizes Keren Rosner.
Abusers suffer too
Keren Rosner emphasizes that therapy is essential for children affected by violence because trauma can dramatically change their behavior and outlook on life. Both victims and perpetrators need psychological support, as perpetrators often come from traumatic backgrounds.
“Because many children who experience such events end up traumatized and the trajectory of their destiny can change. Their behavior can change. The view of life, life in general and their life may be distorted. Such sessions would contribute to resolving, healing wounds and correcting some problems, if they have arisen, psychological problems, behavioral problems of the victims, but also of the aggressors. Because abusers need therapy sessions too.“, adds the psychologist.
Therapy helps heal wounds and prevent violent behavior, helping to create a more balanced society.
“Both of them, in fact, are children who suffer or have suffered. The victim suffers from the aggressor, but the aggressor is the one who suffered before, who brings his suffering in a masked form and becomes violent, aggressive, agitated, impulsive. That child has a life history, often dramatic, with abuse in turn. And then it is a very good idea and it would be very good because it would protect society, it is a concern for future society, for young people, who will be much more balanced and will understand much better how to behave, what are the limits, how to protect themselves.“, said Keren Rosner.
And parents should be involved in the therapeutic process to address underlying issues and improve children’s behavior.
“It would be wonderful if we could also work with the parents of the children, and those who are abused, and especially with the parents of the aggressors. Because actually that’s where the main problem is, that’s where all the aggressive behavior comes from. And then it would be very good if the parents were determinedthat no one can force them, but they should be convinced that therapy is an option and that they would do it for the good of their child“, Keren Rosner also said.
The announced measures are essential for combating school violence, but a coordinated effort between parents, teachers, authorities and NGOs is needed to achieve the desired results, experts draw attention.
