The City of Zagreb, in collaboration with UNICEF, is implementing a peer violence prevention program in schools

The City of Zagreb, in cooperation with UNICEF and the Community Service Luka Ritz Counseling Center, is implementing the peer violence prevention program "For a Safe and Enabling Environment in Schools " The program aims to create an inclusive school environment that encourages and respects diversity, prevents discrimination, and improves the quality of education. It was launched in seven primary schools in Zagreb during the first semester of this academic year and will be expanded to an additional 20 schools throughout the year.

As part of the program and in observance of Pink Shirt Day – the National Day for Combating Peer Violence – a panel discussion titled "What Are Children Telling Us About Cyberbullying?" was held today at the Zagreb Innovation Center (ZICER). The event featured the participation of seventh and eighth-grade students from Zagreb’s primary schools.

"An important aspect of the peer violence prevention program in Zagreb’s schools is the strengthening of our municipal institution, the Luka Ritz Counseling Center, which, as part of this project, will become a permanent center of excellence and support for schools in Zagreb. This is also a component of the City of Zagreb’s Action Plan for Combating Peer Violence, which is based on a study we funded and which incorporates all contemporary insights. The panel focused on violence in digital spaces, as research shows that this is one of the least understood aspects of peer violence, and one we need to talk about more", emphasized Deputy Mayor Danijela Dolenec, who participated in the discussion.

“Every child has a right to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, enjoy their childhood and go to school without fear. That is why the City of Zagreb, UNICEF and Centre Luka Ritz have come together to support Zagreb schools address peer violence among children. UNICEF is bringing 10 years' experience of successful implementation of the programme For a Safe and Enabling Environment in Schools in Croatia to this collaboration. Now we are adapting and reintroducing this programme to respond to today’s challenges in schools, focusing even more on online violence. We believe that this will positively impact schools in Zagreb in the long term", said Luisa Brumana, UNICEF Croatia Representative.

The topic of the panel stemmed from the findings of a study conducted in 2023 by the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences for the City of Zagreb, which examined peer violence in primary and secondary schools. The research showed that cyberbullying among children is the least recognized form of peer violence, while its prevalence increases significantly after the fifth grade of primary school. These findings served as the foundation for developing the City of Zagreb’s Peer Violence Prevention Action Plan for 2024–2026, which was adopted by the City Assembly.

The Community Service Luka Ritz Counseling Center plays a crucial role in the fight against peer violence in Zagreb. The municipal institution specializes in working with children exhibiting risky behavior and is significantly expanding its capacities this year. A new branch is being established in the western part of the city to enhance support for schools in cases of peer violence.