Article
The role of schools in detecting gender violence suffered by children in their homes: what do their teachers say?
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1In general, the treatment of gender violence by schools is poorly systematised. Normally, when they do approach the subject, they usually talk about physical violence (90%), sexual violence (78%) and psychological violence (76%), and they do this, mainly, by using graphic information (posters, leaflets, etc.), on an occasional basis on special days and depending, above all, on the teaching staff and the education stage. Only 22% of teaching staff affirm that the subject is integrated into the school’s education project.
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2According to teaching staff, pupils do not generally report these types of situations to them: usually they say nothing (68%), and avoid the subject or defend their parents (45%). The school finds out when there are evident signs making it manifest or through other professionals. It is considered that school organisational questions, but also training and mistaken beliefs among teachers, are the main obstacles to approaching this issue.
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3Teaching staff believe that they should get involved in the problem and that it is important to refer cases detected by schools (60%). To do this, they need a calm and safe space, improved coordination between different services in the territory, and the establishment of a specific programme within the school’s education project. In general, they think that they need support, more training, and knowledge of the protocols.
