CIVIL SOCIETY AND OVERCOMING SCHOOL VIOLENCE: RETHINKING THE PROBLEM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2026-2-87-97Keywords:
civil society, violence in educational institutions, school shooters, trust, denunciation, solidarity, cybersquad, nonviolenceAbstract
This article analyzes the problem of overcoming school violence in the context of available civil society resources. School violence is characterized from various perspectives (physical and psychological violence, bullying and mobbing, cyberbullying and cybermobbing, etc.). Particular attention is given to such a destructive form as mass school violence (including mass school shootings). The problem of school violence is also considered from a cross-cultural perspective. The main findings regarding school violence are presented based on data from various countries, including Russia. It is argued that the effectiveness of psychological support and security measures in combating school violence depends on their interaction with the school community, including children, teachers, and parents. The argument is supported by analyzing attackers’ psychological
profiles, the social context of attacks, and security staff response patterns in educational settings. The prevention of violence in educational settings is thus identified as a key responsibility of civil society. The article examines the role of trust in civil society, particularly between children and adults, and underscores the value of solidarity and cohesion. The analysis concludes that only through active civil society engagement can individual aggression be overcome, thereby enhancing the safety of educational institutions.
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