27 Jan 2012 • Juvenile justice Peru

Peru: Fight against violence in schools

- Published by Darcissac, Marion

After cases of persecution in Peruvian schools, which sometimes led to suicide or death from injuries to the pupils, Law 29719 regarding good behaviour in the school environment was adopted in June 2011. This law gave rise to a working commission coordinated by the Ministry of Labour, in which Terre des hommes took an active part. The rulings of this law have now been approved, and are based in particular on Tdh’s experience in restorative juvenile justice.

Giving priority to education

Since 2002, Terre des hommes help adolescents who benefit from alternative measures to deprivation of liberty. The Tdh delegation has thus acquired solid experience in the resolution of conflicts, which has enabled them to bring important factors to this law against violence suffered in the school environment. It particularly includes an educational dimension to punishment instead of repressive measures taken against the troublemakers, at the same time taking into consideration the interests of the victims.

Prevent and eliminate all kinds of violence

A plan to prevent violence in school establishments is also included in this new law. This plan is also based on the concepts and tools used in restorative juvenile justice. 27 teachers from seven schools have also been given four months’ (220 hours) training by Terre des hommes, in alliance with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for Women and Social Development, on the prevention of all kinds of violence in the school or community: ill treatment, abuse or sexual exploitation, intimidation, etc. These teachers learned about various non-violent ways of re-establishing a situation or transforming a conflict. Community leaders were also made aware of the issue of intra-family violence, abuse and sexual exploitation, and given training on handling conflicts within their communities.

Further information about Terre des hommes’ intervention in Peru