Violence Free Waitakere Project Reports

Violence Free Begins With Me Programme
  Violence Free Begins with Me is a programme designed for 8-12 year old school children, facilitating development of transferable skills and attitudes to assist in changing their relationship to violence in their worlds.   This teacher-led programme is ideally conducted over the first 12 -15 weeks of Term One, to establish a positive cultural platform for pupils and classes in approaching the challenges of violence within its community.   The course is experiential, involves increasing understanding of the causes, effects and alternatives to violence by exploring communication, self esteem, emotions, safety planning and anger management as well as relationship skills such as empathy, responding to bullying, positive bystander behaviour and conflict resolution.   Currently completing its pilot stage, this programme demonstrates considerable promise in strengthening a school’s approach to violence. Teachers are trained in necessary skills for delivery of the material and supported by regular meetings with project staff to mutually reflect on the process, prepare for future classes and address issues which emerge in the process of the programme, such as responding to increased disclosures.