The role and actions of the school in preventing domestic violence against students

Research objectives and problems: The aim of this article is to present the role of the school and the actions that it undertakes to prevent domestic violence against students. In line with this objective, the following research questions were posed: What role does the school play in preventing domestic violence against students? What measures should schools take to counteract domestic violence? How do school staff assess their preparedness and readiness to take action in this area? What recommendations can strengthen the school’s efforts to address domestic violence against students? Research methods: To answer the research questions, a qualitative research design was used, specifically focus group interviews (group discussions, commonly referred to as focus groups). A total of 68 participants took part in the study. The group of respondents consisted of school principals, teachers, homeroom teachers, as well as school counselors and psychologists. Process of argumentation: The research process is both theoretical and empirical, as it combines an analysis of relevant literature with the author’s own findings. It focuses on presenting the role of the school and the actions that is undertakes to support families affected by violence and to protect children experiencing domestic violence. The study highlights that building an atmosphere of trust and safety in the school environment is a vital condition for effectively supporting students at risk of violence and mitigating its negative effects. Research findings and their impact on the development of pedagogical science: The analysis of the collected material confirms the key role of the school in preventing domestic violence against students and in supporting families affected by violence. The findings indicate that efforts in this area are highly interdisciplinary, especially within pedagogical science, but also reveal limits in how these responsibilities are carried out. Conclusions and/or recommendations: The research contributes to the development of the domestic violence prevention system, as well as to broader child and family support measures. The findings emphasize the need to enhance the readiness and openness of educational institutions to carry out effective interventions, provide support to children and families, and strengthen the overall system of support available to educators.