Bullying or bullying is a repeated form of violence that causes harm to the victim at various levels, from social relationships to self-esteem, its purpose is to subject through intimidation. While we associate bullying with schools, it can also spread to social media or different areas. The consequences are disastrous for victims, both physically and psychologically, to combat this scourge created the KiVa method in Finland.
The protagonists of this situation are usually minors, adolescents, and unfortunately this is a type of violence that occurs in many societies; It is also true that technology, particularly widespread in the Western world, has ensured that the spaces in which the victim feels safe have virtually disappeared.
- What concerns us most about this situation is the increase in cases in schools in recent years.
- And worse.
- Some bullying situations are so intense and frequent that the victim only sees one way out: suicide.
- Countries around the world.
- The authorities are beginning to take steps to address this problem.
Experts assure that in some schools bullying exceeds 70%, that is why they asked the educational community to recognize this reality, on the other hand, and more importantly, they must take preventive measures where abuse and harassment arise.
Finland is an example to the world with the creation of the KiVa method, the results of which are encouraging after application. The Nordic country has taken on the challenge of ending bullying in its education system. Thanks to this specialized intervention, Finland has been able to reduce bullying by 90% in recent years.
This has earned all kinds of praise around the world, such as taking first place in the quality of primary and higher education; in addition, the country ranks first in the formation of the Global Competitiveness Index (IDG). All this for a high level of social awareness and having invested a significant amount of resources in education.
Finland is currently considered one of the most innovative and creative countries in Europe and the world, it is important to note that the consequences of bullying affect not only those directly involved, but also the entire teaching community and also the families of those involved.
The term KiVa is the result of the merger of the first syllroom of the two Finnish words meaning bullying. The application of this revolutionary method was widespread in most schools and it was not necessary to wait to demonstrate its success. So much so that educators consider it a fundamental tool for working with their students.
The KiVa project is the result of a specific government request to the educational community of this country, based on preliminary and worrying studies on violence in schools, in the face of this demand, professionals from different fields and institutions of different kinds worked together to develop the KiVa method.
In its experimental phase, this program has obtained surprising results: in the first year bullying was reduced by 41%; within a few years, bullying in schools had decreased by 80%; all of this also motivated students to study more and more to get better grades. These spectacular figures speak for themselves, which has generated unusual interest among educational conglomerates around the world.
The great success of the KIVa method is that it does not focus exclusively on the confrontation between the aggressor and the victim, but the focus was on the viewer, who indirectly participated and reinforced the abuse in question. make the victim reveal their feelings as a result of bullying, or have the perpetrator identify with the victim.
The key was to act on the students who witnessed this situation and who generally responded with laughter, these viewers may be inclined to reject themselves when they witness the aggression, however, they ended up internalizing the act as something normal and even fun. Therefore, the purpose of the KiVa method was to prevent viewers from engaging directly in these intimidation situations.
The project, in its initial phase, aimed to educate children from the age of seven, the objective was that they know how to identify the different types of bullying, this instruction consists of courses in which different topics related to bullying are discussed and commented on Also teaches empathy, respect for others and moral values.
Educational resources such as video games, books and talks are used, all reinforced with instructions to teachers, surveillance in breaks and follow-up of group work, even a virtual mailbox was created in which the student could report whether he was being abused or had witnessed him.
At each school where the project is implemented, the principal selects a group of three adults responsible for the school year, ensures that the method is tracked, and learns to use tools that allow them to detect time and investigate all forms of bullying that occur in school.
This process includes a dialogue with the victim, to reassure her; and with the aggressor, to raise awareness. On the other hand, they talk to viewers about the act, as they are the cornerstone of the project. Finally, a verification sequence is performed, which in most cases yields a positive result.
The radical change caused by the implementation of the KiVa method in Finnish schools is only a demonstration of its potential; its implementation, when carried out at an early age, produces the best results; It also helps repair educational and family cracks. Structures.
When children are educated not to support such violent behaviors, actively or passively, we see a change of mindset in them, projects like this are achieved through people who believe they can make changes in society to make it more coherent, fair and supportive. .