More information
Description
This project addresses the problem of violence and discrimination of young people, including LGBTIQ people, in the county of Głogowski. During the pandemic, the number of abused children and young people increased significantly - the number of harmed children was as high as 27%, 11% by those closest to them. The number of Blue Cards created in the Dolnośląsk voivodship in 2020 increased by 50% on the previous year. In Głogów alone, the number of children placed in foster care due to domestic violence increased from 55 in 2019 to 77 in 2020. At the same time, teachers are unwilling to raise this issue in lessons, often for fear of consequences such as hate and a smear campaign on the part of local right-wing politicians. The Project Promoter will create an awareness platform with information (podcasts, films, lesson plans) on combating violence and discrimination, produced by teachers and young people. The materials will be distributed by means including four webinars. Teachers (40 people) will attend two training sessions on combating violence and discrimination, and if necessary, participate in a support group. A support group will be formed for young people, who will also be given one-on-one psychological counseling. Young people will prepare a campaign for their peers on the forms of help available. Representatives of various educational and aid institutions will together draw up recommendations for the Municipal Violence Prevention Program. The measures are primarily intended for two groups: teachers, and young people in the county of Głogowski. Teachers will improve their competencies with respect to recognizing and reacting to cases of discrimination, violence, and exclusion, and raising the issue of discrimination in lessons. Young people who experience violence and discrimination will be given support.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the problem of violence and discrimination among young people, including LGBT people, in the Głogów district. During the pandemic, the number of children and young people experiencing violence increased significantly - as many as 27% of children experienced abuse, 11% of whom experienced it from their loved ones. The number of Blue Cards established in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in 2020 increased by 50% compared to the previous year. In Głogów alone, the number of children placed in foster care due to domestic violence increased from 55 in 2019 to 77 in 2020. At the same time, male and female teachers are reluctant to address this topic in lessons, often for fear of the consequences - e.g. heckling and and reprimand from local right-wing politicians. For a long time, there was no place in Głogów where young LGBT people could meet, and teachers lacked the knowledge and skills to respond to situations of violence and discrimination.
As part of the project, the Project Promoter created an educational platform with materials (podcasts, films, scenarios) on countering violence and discrimination developed by male and female teachers and young people. These materials were disseminated, among others, during 4 webinars for male and female teachers on supporting children and young people - including LGBT people - experiencing violence and psychological crisis, and on recognising and responding to hate speech and discrimination. There were also 2 trainings for teachers - on non-violent communication in working with young people and on effectively helping children and young people at school. The teaching staff also took part in support group meetings. In parallel, activities aimed at young people were carried out - a support group was established and 108 young people benefited from individual psychological consultations. A media campaign "But you can..." was carried out for young people to facilitate their support for their peers in mental health crisis. Representatives of various educational and support institutions jointly developed recommendations for the Communal Anti-Violence Programme.
The activities were primarily aimed at two groups: teachers and young people from the Głogów district. The teaching staff increased their competences in recognising and reacting to cases of discrimination, violence and exclusion, as well as taking up anti-discrimination topics in lessons. Thanks to the project, young people experiencing violence and discrimination were supported. Local young people were also sensitised to discrimination and the need to respond to violence and hate speech. It has been possible - through inter-institutional meetings and the recommendations developed - to strengthen the local support system for children and young people.