The State Police of Latvia have reported a wide range of violence incidents in schools, including verbal abuse and physical aggression, which affect the safety and learning environment of students and teachers.
The State Police of Latvia (VP) have identified a significant spectrum of violence occurring in schools, ranging from vulgar language and digital humiliation to physical aggression. These incidents notably impact students' and educators' sense of safety, thereby affecting the overall educational environment. The VP stated that while they receive only a portion of information regarding school conflicts, they are able to identify trends rather than provide precise statistics, as many incidents are often resolved within schools or families without police intervention.
Violence tends to concentrate within specific age groups, according to observations made by the VP. Generally, older students are reported to exhibit more caution and partake in aggressive behavior less frequently compared to their younger counterparts. The various forms of violence reported include verbal, physical, and digital manifestations, with instances of coarse insults, bullying, and humiliation emerging as the most common. These behaviors not only disrupt the learning process but also create a stressful atmosphere for both students and educators, underscoring the urgent need for more effective preventative measures and interventions.
Law enforcement officials recognize that while they mainly confront the consequences of these violent acts, effective solutions necessitate identifying the underlying causes of these behaviors. The recognition of such trends suggests that the approach to tackling school violence must pivot from merely addressing immediate results to implementing strategies that uncover and address root causes. Increasing awareness and involving families in conflict resolution could play a vital role in fostering a safer and more conducive educational environment.
