[People Focus] - Lee Il-kwon, attorney at Daeryun Law Firm

This is KNN People Focus. ‘School violence’ has recently emerged as a hot issue through movies and dramas. However, real-life school violence cases that are more like dramas than dramas are constantly occurring. Today, we will talk about school violence with attorney Lee Il-kwon of Daeryun Law Firm. welcome.

-Hello, this is lawyer Lee Il-kwon.

**Q.** First of all, interest in school violence is increasing recently, both in OTT content and various news. First of all, I am curious about how much school violence occurs in Busan.

**A.** The Ministry of Education conducts a survey on school violence every year and announces the results. This year, a survey on school violence is scheduled for one month starting April 10th.

So, looking at the results of last year's '2022 School Violence Survey', the victim response rate was found to be 1.7%. Statistics show that 1.7 out of 100 students are victims of school violence.

Looking at the types of school violence victims, verbal violence is the most common at 40.8%. Physical violence was next at 14.8%, followed by bullying, and then cyberbullying.

The reason why the most school violence occurs in elementary schools is because verbal violence and cyberbullying are on the rise.

**Q.** At the same time, a word that can be easily heard through the media is the word ‘school violence committee.’ When an incident occurs, it is not well known how the school violence committee actually handles the case. What is the process and what is the process?

**A.** Currently, the School Violence Committee is convened when a school violence incident is reported.

The school violence committee actually goes through similar procedures as a trial or hearing. When the school violence committee is held, the victim and the perpetrator are called in and the arguments of both parties are heard. We then review the materials submitted by both parties.

After reviewing the claims and materials, the committee members decide whether this case constitutes school violence, protective measures for the victim, and disciplinary action against the offending student.

Protective measures for victims mainly focus on expert counseling, advice, or treatment, and disciplinary measures for perpetrators range from written apologies to community service and special education.

However, in cases where the case is deemed more serious, the student may be changed to a new class, suspended from attendance, or even expelled/transferred. It can be seen that the results of the school violence committee investigation ultimately end up being recorded in the school records.

**Q.** Above all, prevention before going through the school violence committee process seems to be important, and response afterwards is also important. So what is the best way for victims to respond when exposed to the risk of school violence?

**A.** Even when victims are exposed to the risk of school violence, they often do not ask others for help.

The reason is that they feel shame about being teased or hit, and they also feel guilty because they are afraid that their parents will be upset.

And even if the teacher is informed, they often do not ask for help because they are worried and anxious that the situation will get worse or that they may be retaliated against or ostracized.

The victim must actively report the incident.

However, if you have been a victim of school violence, you must talk to your closest family members, especially your parents, and inform them of the school violence through an honest conversation. And I think it's important to report it to the school as well.

**Q.** So, when a victim informs his or her parents or teacher of this fact, the response of the teacher or parent seems to be important as well. If parents find out that they are victims, or that their children are perpetrators, how should they respond and what efforts are needed?

**A.** First, parents of victims must have a thorough conversation with their children. And you need to lead the conversation with warm words from your child. Specifically, you need to comfort and be considerate to your child by saying that it must have been really hard for you and thank you so much for talking to him even now.

And before reporting school violence to the school, you need to collect enough data to support your child's claims and prove them.

In most cases, parents of offenders hear about school violence from the school. If it is clear that the offender's child is at fault, I think it is important to first sincerely apologize to the victim and promise to prevent recurrence.

-All right.

**Q.** So, shouldn't we finally create a safe school without school violence? To this end, if you have any wishes from the education sector, please tell us.

**A.** Now, 20 years have already passed since the School Violence Prevention Act was enacted in 2004. So far, the Ministry of Education has announced comprehensive measures eight times, but it has still not presented a fundamental solution.

First, appropriate punishment must be given to students who commit school violence. However, recently, there is an opinion that zero tolerance or strict punishment is on the rise.

However, I believe that strict punishment alone has its limits in eradicating school violence.

The most important thing is to protect the victims. I believe that the victims' wounds can be healed when we forgive each other and restore relationships.

Above all, I believe that school violence can be made safe if all members of society participate and create a culture of respect and consideration, and a social community of reconciliation and healing.

-I think we need a lot of attention and caution to prevent any more unfortunate damage. I listened carefully to what you said today. Thank you for coming out.

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