Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Schools after Lockdown

REBOOT NOW is a child-centered transnational piloting initiative aimed at preventing and combating gender-based violence (GBV) among children/young people by supporting their psychological well-being through an evidence-based replicable service, with their active engagement. The project will design and implement psychological counselling desks at schools to support the recovery of young people and families from difficulties arised from measures against Covid-19 pandemic, in particular through positive actions that support well-being, mental health and capacity of young people for building up healthy relationships. It will build the capacity of schools and families in prevention and identification of at-risk cases of teen-dating violence; targeted educational activities (workshops, awareness-raising campaigns and training) at schools, also involving families and older peers (aged 15-18), will further support the prevention of GBV among young people (aged 10-14). Activities include: 1) an itinerant school counselling desk for children and families, result of the cooperation between schools and stakeholders, to concretely support well-being and healthy relationships of children; 2) an online platform collecting existing information and training materials for adults (school staff and families) and children, and serving as online access point to the counselling desk; 3) a programme of educational peer-supported workshops to inform, raise awareness and empower students (aged 10-14) in schools, with the active engagement of older peers (aged 15-18) as co-trainers. Intended outcomes include: 1) Increased access to concrete psychological support services for young people, school staff and families; 2) Improved well-being, mental health and capacity to construct healthy relationships in young people aged 10-14; 3) Increased capacity of professionals (teachers/psychologists), school staff and families in prevention and identification of GBV cases or vulnerabilities.