Schools That ‘Open Doors’ to Prevent Child Abuse in Confinement by COVID-19

Schools That ‘Open Doors’ to Prevent Child Abuse in Confinement by COVID-19

Patricia Melgar, Esther Roca, Regina Gairal Casadó, Miguel A. Pulido-Rodríguez

Background: Due to the expected increase in child abuse during the period of COVID-19 confinement, it is essential that social researchers and other professionals work together very quickly to provide alternatives that protect children. To respond to this extremely urgent demand, evidence-based actions are presented that are being carried out in nine schools in the autonomous communities of Valencia and Murcia, Spain, during the confinement with the goal of “opening doors” to foster supportive relationships and a safe environment to prevent child abuse. Methods: The research was conducted through the inclusion of teachers who are implementing these actions in dialogue with the researchers to define the study design, analysis, and discussion of the results. Results: Knowledge regarding six evidence-based actions is provided: (1) dialogic workspaces, (2) dialogic gatherings, (3) class assemblies, (4) dialogic pedagogical gatherings with teachers, (5) mixed committees, and (6) dynamisation of social networks with preventive messages and the creation of a sense of community, which are being implemented virtually.

2020

prevention, Child abuse, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3390/su12114685

Sustainability

MDPI AG

Environmental sciences, Renewable energy sources, Environmental effects of industries and plants