I Was a Victim of School Violence

An expression referring to the experience of being a victim of school violence; it covers the psychological and social impact on victims, coping strategies, and related policies.

I Was a Victim of School Violence

Overview

"I was a victim of school violence" is an expression with which a student confesses that they have suffered physical, psychological, and social harm from peers inside or outside school. This expression is not merely a personal misfortune but a signal revealing that the safety net of the school community has collapsed; it has long-term effects not only on the victim but also on the perpetrator and the surrounding students. In recent years, victim protection has been strengthened through broader social awareness and improvements in legal and institutional frameworks, but many cases are still concealed or downplayed.

Main Content

Definition and Types of School Violence

"School violence" is a broad concept that includes injury, assault, confinement, intimidation, abduction and luring, defamation and insult, extortion, coercion, sexual violence, bullying, and cyber violence occurring inside or outside school and targeting students. Physical violence is the most traditional form, including punching, kicking, and hitting with objects. Verbal violence leaves psychological wounds through profanity, mockery, and threats. Bullying is the deliberate exclusion and ignoring of a specific student. In recent years, cyber violence has increased sharply with the spread of smartphones and social media; collective denunciation in chat rooms, dissemination of false information, and distribution of photos and videos have become problematic.

Symptoms and Effects Experienced by Victims

Victims experience emotional difficulties such as anxiety, depression, fear, and lowered self-esteem, and in severe cases this may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder. Educational losses are also significant, including declining academic performance and fear of going to school. Socially, victims have difficulty building lasting trust in interpersonal relationships, and the likelihood of suffering from various mental health issues in adulthood increases. Some victims consider or actually carry out extreme choices, resulting in tragedy. The experience of victimization does not end in the short term; it casts a shadow over one's entire life.

Coping Methods and Reporting Procedures

It is very important to disclose the harm and ask for help. Those to turn to include parents, teachers, counselors, or professional institutions outside the school. An official report can be made by submitting a report to the school, or through the office of education, the police (cyber investigation unit in the case of cyber violence), and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Recently, "school violence reporting centers" and various online channels have been operating, improving accessibility. Afterward, the School Violence Countermeasures Deliberation Committee is convened to review the case and impose appropriate measures on the perpetrator, such as no-contact orders, transfer, or special education. Victims may receive legal counseling and counseling therapy, and may consider civil lawsuits or criminal complaints if necessary.

School Violence Prevention and Policies

The government and educational authorities are working to create a prevention-centered school culture. In 2024, the "Comprehensive Measures to Eradicate School Violence" was reorganized, and the law was revised to strengthen victim protection and impose stricter punishment on perpetrators. In particular, regular fact-finding surveys on school violence are conducted across all elementary, middle, and high school grades, followed by tailored programs. Schools operate counseling rooms such as the Wee Class and promote prompt responses through teacher training. Prevention education has been expanded to parents as well as students, with the aim of improving awareness in the community.

Recent Trends

The most conspicuous change in school violence cases since 2024 is the increase in cyber violence and the corresponding strengthening of countermeasures. In particular, sexual crimes using metaverse platforms and deepfake technology have led to stronger legal penalties. From 2025, the system of dedicated school violence investigators has been expanded nationwide, so that measures are now taken according to professional investigation results rather than the school's own judgment. In addition, victim transfer protection has been substantively implemented, and dispositions against perpetrators such as suspension and forced transfer have been expanded. At the same time, some voices argue that balance with the human rights of perpetrators and the possibility of rehabilitation should be considered. Beginning in the 2025 school year, the Ministry of Education has been carrying out a "Zero School Violence" campaign targeting all schools, focusing on prevention and distributing various awareness-raising materials.