School Violence
Overview
School violence refers to acts that cause physical, mental, or property damage to students within or outside the school. It negatively affects not only perpetrators and victims but also witnesses and the entire school community, and has recently expanded into cyberspace, increasing its severity. School violence is recognized as a social problem beyond simple deviance, making prevention and early intervention crucial.
Main Content
1. Definition and Types of School Violence
According to Article 2 of the "Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures against School Violence," school violence is defined as 'acts that cause physical, mental, or property damage to students within or outside the school, including injury, assault, confinement, intimidation, abduction/kidnapping, defamation/insult, extortion, coercion/forced errands, sexual violence, bullying, cyberbullying, and obscene/violent information via information and communication networks.' The main types are as follows:
- Physical Violence: Direct physical attacks such as hitting, pushing, and throwing objects.
- Verbal Violence: Mental suffering caused by words, including swearing, threats, mockery, and defamation.
- Relational Violence: Attacks using social relationships, such as bullying, group harassment, and exclusion.
- Cyber Violence: Harassment, defamation, and invasion of privacy via SNS, messengers, and game chats.
- Sexual Violence: Sexual jokes, unwanted physical contact, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
- Property Violence: Extortion of money or goods, property damage, and forced errands.
2. Causes of School Violence
The causes of school violence involve a complex interplay of individual, familial, school, and social factors.
- Individual Factors: Low self-esteem, aggression, impulsivity, lack of empathy, and difficulty in emotional regulation.
- Familial Factors: Exposure to domestic violence, neglect, overprotection, and problematic parenting attitudes.
- School Factors: Teacher indifference, school atmosphere, peer culture, and competition-oriented education.
- Social Factors: Exposure to violent media, social inequality, peer pressure, and collectivist culture.
3. Effects of School Violence
School violence has short- and long-term effects on victims, perpetrators, and witnesses.
- Victims: Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, decreased academic achievement, social withdrawal, and physical symptoms (headaches, abdominal pain).
- Perpetrators: Continuation of delinquent behavior, increased risk of adult crime, interpersonal relationship problems, and school dropout.
- Witnesses: Fear, guilt, helplessness, distrust of school, and deterioration of peer relationships.
4. Prevention and Response Measures
- Prevention Programs: School violence prevention education (e.g., Harmony Program, peer mediation), character education, and emotional regulation training.
- Early Detection: Observation by teachers and parents, anonymous reporting systems (117 School Violence Reporting Center), and regular surveys.
- Post-Response: Separation of perpetrators, counseling and treatment, legal measures (School Violence Countermeasures Committee), and victim protection and support.
- Improving School Culture: Democratic school management, teacher-student trust relationships, improvement of peer culture, and school violence prevention club activities.
5. Related Laws and Systems
- Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures against School Violence: Defines school violence and stipulates prevention, countermeasures, victim protection, and perpetrator measures.
- School Violence Countermeasures Committee: Established in each school to deliberate on violence cases and decide on measures.
- 117 School Violence Reporting Center: Operated in collaboration with the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Education, providing 24-hour reporting and counseling.
- School Violence Dedicated Investigators: Police officers assigned to schools for rapid investigation and response.
Latest Trends
Key changes and trends in school violence as of 2024-2025 are as follows:
- Increase in Cyber Violence: With the rise of non-face-to-face classes after COVID-19, cyber violence has surged, particularly harassment via SNS and game chats. According to a 2024 Ministry of Education survey, the response rate for cyber violence victimization increased by 20% compared to the previous year.
- Increase in Violence Among Lower Elementary Grades: Physical and verbal violence has increased among 1st to 3rd graders in elementary school, highlighting the need for early education and character education.
- Strengthened Emotional Support: Expanded placement of school counselors, enhanced operation of Wee Classes (school counseling rooms), and introduction of emotional support programs.
- Use of AI and Digital Tools: Introduction of AI-based cyber violence detection systems (e.g., filtering malicious comments) and strengthened digital literacy education.
- Strengthened Legal Sanctions: Increased severity of punishment for perpetrators and enhanced victim protection measures (e.g., mandatory transfer or class separation).
- Introduction of Restorative Justice: Expansion of reconciliation and healing programs through dialogue between perpetrators and victims, seeking educational solutions for school violence cases.
Related Topics
- [[Cyber Violence]]
- [[Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures against School Violence]]
- [[Peer Relationships]]
- [[Youth Mental Health]]
- [[Character Education]]
- [[Wee Class]]
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