'Reports' are also frequent due to increasingly serious school violence... What is the appropriate response?

According to the results of the '2024 1st School Violence Survey' announced by the Ministry of Education in September last year, 2.1%, or 65,000 people, of the 3.25 million students in the 4th grade of elementary school to the 3rd grade of high school across the country answered that they have experienced school violence.

What was most notable in the survey results was that elementary school students had the highest victim response rate. 4.2% of students responded that they were victims of school violence this year, which was confirmed to be the highest figure since 2013 (3.8%). This is why school violence is no longer dismissed as children's fights.

The level of punishment also appears to be strengthening. According to statistics from the National Police Agency's youth protection activity platform 'Youth Polnet', the number of school violence offenders arrested by the police in 2023 was approximately 15,000, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. This means that if you commit school violence, you may be subject to not only disciplinary action at the education office level but also criminal liability.

As ‘sensitivity’ to school violence increases, various conflicts arise in the field. In particular, as parents' intervention becomes more frequent, a considerable number of so-called 'counter-reports' are being made by those who have been identified as perpetrators. In a survey released last year by the Blue Tree Foundation, a school violence prevention organization, 40% of 380 parents responded that they had been reported by both parties.

There are actual cases that I have experienced. Ms. A, who was attending a local elementary school, was harmed by her classmate, including having her hair pulled and being cursed at. Her parents reported the damage, but what they got back was not an apology but a counter-report. Because of this, Ms. A was also pointed out as a perpetrator and was suspended from attending school. Accordingly, Miss A's parents requested legal assistance.

At the School Violence Countermeasures Review Committee held later, the author emphasized that Ms. A did not commit any acts of violence and asked that action be taken in consideration of the offending student's unrepentant attitude, such as filing a false accusation. The Office of Education's School Violence Response Review Committee acknowledged the actions of the offending student and took measures such as school volunteer service and special education. Additionally, the School Violence Review Committee made it clear that Ms. A did not commit any acts of school violence as claimed by the perpetrator. Thanks to the quick response, Ms. A was able to resolve her unfairness.

As can be seen from the above case, 'timely response' in school violence cases can be said to be the most important key to resolving the problem. Even if you are a victim, you can be accused of being a perpetrator, and if you do not properly explain the situation at the time and the damage caused by it, proper disciplinary action cannot be taken.

The same applies when you are in the position of a student who is an assailant. If you do not respond properly during the school violence committee process, you may be subject to harsher punishment than what you actually committed, or you may have to bear heavier criminal liability or civil liability for damages. Therefore, once you are involved in school violence, you need to quickly find a legal expert, get help, and go through all the procedures like any other criminal case.

Small Business Team

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'Reports' are frequent as school violence becomes more serious... What is the appropriate response? (Shortcut)