Bullying prevention

Each unit has designated responsible persons or teams who coordinate and promote anti-bullying work. The action plans record the procedures, objectives and responsibilities for preventing and responding to bullying, harassment and discrimination. Children, young people and adults are familiar with the common procedures and commit to following them.

Rules are drawn up together with the students. It is easier to commit to rules drawn up together in everyday life. The rules are made visible so that they are clear to children and young people and support the creation of a safe environment.

Behavior is learned through interaction. Caring interaction and the experience of belonging to a community prevent bullying. Activities emphasize positive and respectful interaction between children, young people, adults, and staff.

Bullying is often a group phenomenon, which is why strengthening community is a key factor in its prevention. Children and young people's attachment to the community is supported, and an operating culture is developed to strengthen positive peer relationships and prevent other offensive behavior.

In order for a group to develop into a functional and cooperative group, time and teamwork are needed. Group formation, mutual acquaintance of children and young people, and safe and positive coexistence are continuously supported. Community spirit is strengthened in cooperation with student welfare and youth services.

By strengthening participation and collaboration, children and young people are offered opportunities to influence the well-being of their own environment.

Bullying prevention is everyone's responsibility. Children, young people and adults have a common understanding of what bullying is and how to deal with it. Bullying is encouraged to be reported to an adult, and every situation is taken seriously.

Since bullying is often related to the activities of the entire group, it can best be prevented by strengthening positive interaction and shared responsibility within the group. Adults set an example of respectful encounters and safe interactions through their own actions. Children and young people participate in the planning and implementation of policies and goals.

The operations follow the principles of a safer space, which promote everyone's right to be treated with respect and equality.

Fair Riksu operating model

The purpose of the Reilu Riksu model, which covers the entire city, is to clarify the way of working in the prevention and intervention of bullying. In the model, the greatest emphasis is on prevention, so that children and young people can be in an environment that strengthens community, sociability and the progress of interaction skills. Instructions for intervention and measures when improper behavior has become apparent are also recorded in the model. Follow-up measures are defined in the next step, and they will be implemented if the measures of the first step are not enough.

Each unit, such as schools, daycare centers and youth facilities, prepares its own operating model based on the model, how to act in that particular unit to prevent bullying, discrimination and inappropriate behavior in advance and when it becomes apparent. All actors working with children and young people, such as sports clubs, youth and cultural organizations and churches, are free to use the operating model in their operations. In the operating model, it is intended to write down the own unit's plan for implementation as well as the agreed practices, such as responsible persons and the method of communication with guardians.

The model is a long-term effort to create a safe environment. The implementation of the Fair Taxi model is monitored in connection with the city's well-being report, for example, using the results of the school health survey and school well-being surveys.

Principles of a safer space

The city of Riihimäki is committed to complying with the principles of a safer space. The principles of a safer space mean instructions on how to be considerate and appreciative of everyone in spaces and events.

We are each different. Our characteristics are age, ethnic origin, citizenship, language and culture, religion, belief, opinion, political view, family form, gender identity, sexual orientation, health status, disability, social status, financial status and other individual factors, e.g. skin color, body size or belonging to the neuro spectrum. These principles have been drawn up so that every participant feels as good, welcome and safe as possible.

Guide to the preparation and use of the principles of a safer space

• It is good to have the principles of a safer space drawn up in every organization organizing events or other activities. Such events and facilities include, for example, cultural events, leisure activities, hobby activities, youth facilities and the activities of associations.
• One set of safe space guidelines will not work everywhere. Each organization should develop their own safe space principles that best suit their space or event. Below you can download a customizable safer space principles poster.
• The important thing is that the principles of a safer space are being drawn up together by everyone – children, young people and adults as well as customers, employees and volunteers.
• When the jointly prepared principles are ready, they should be known to the participants. You can inform about the principles of a safer space, for example, on websites, event invitations and posters.
• A contact person must be recorded in the principles of a safer space, to whom the participant can contact if the principles have not been implemented or if feedback is desired. The contact person monitors the realization of the principles of a safer space in the event or space and intervenes in case of their violation.