8 October 2008

Personal safety lessons encourage students to speak out

A four-year study has shown that children are far more likely to speak out about experiences ranging from bullying to verbal and physical abuse if they have taken part in personal safety lessons.

Jointly funded by Dundee City Council's education department and the charity Eighteen and Under, the study was conducted by Ian Barron of the University of Dundee.

Four weeks of lessons were undertaken in primary and secondary classrooms in Dundee. In the lessons observed as part of the study, teachers were supported by workers from Eighteen and Under.

The results show that, when lessons are supported by specially trained individuals from an outside organisation, primary-aged pupils feel more able to speak out about bullying and other issues.

According to Professor Keith Topping of Dundee University, 'School-based abuse prevention programmes have hitherto been accepted at the level of blind trust. This is the first study to measure the effectiveness of such programmes.'

The pupils took part in games designed to encourage them to feel more confident about speaking out. What pupils said during the lessons was then analysed and it was found that most disclosures in the classroom were brief comments. Pupils also used a telephone helpline to discuss issues.

Dundee University researcher Ian Barron said: 'Teachers were effective in increasing pupil's personal safety knowledge and when the lessons were led by adult survivors of abuse, pupils were moved to tell of their own stories.'

Dundee City Council Education Convener, Laurie Bidwell said: 'The education department is committed to protecting children. This interesting piece of research is a good example of productive partnership working designed to make Dundee a safer community. The lessons learned can be used to help us to continue to keep Dundee's children and young people safe from harm.'

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