Sint-Truiden (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -Sint-Truiden received an award for its effective measures against bullying issues. The city launched a two-year project encompassing schools alongside students and their parents, together with Youth and Sports Services, to address bullying throughout educational and non-educational spaces in 2022 following a major bullying incident.
The city of Sint-Truiden won an award for its complete anti-bullying initiative that emerged after the extreme bullying event which took place in 2022. A team collaboration across the city spanned two years to develop a unified project targeting bullying incidents in educational facilities as well as non-school spaces.
EVO recognised Sint-Truiden as the first city in the Flanders region to implement the Finnish KiVa program throughout all primary schools and the STIPP method across all secondary schools. With €70,000 funding, the initiative tackles group dynamics alongside recovery efforts and community-wide participation, as reported by VRT.
Recent figures show that 1 in 5 pupils in primary and secondary education are confronted with Bullying.
“A structural, sustainable approach is necessary. That is why scientifically substantiated methods were chosen that focus on group dynamics, recovery and connecting work,”
the city council says.
Bullying is a complex social problem that occurs at school, online and in free time.
“Bullying has long since ceased to only occur at school, so our policy must also extend beyond the school gate,”
says Alderman for Youth Gert Stas (Vooruit). By also involving partners outside of education, such as youth and sports services, the child feels that he or she can count on help everywhere. This creates an environment where respect and empathy become the norm, and Bullying is no longer allowed.”
Councillor for Education Katrien Bomans (WOW) adds:
“Bullying leaves deep scars not only on victims, but also on bullies and silent bystanders. If it does not leave emotional scars, it can lead to dropping out of school or reduced school performance. Thanks to methods from anti-bullying programmes such as KiVa and STIPP, schools can intervene more quickly and focus on recovery. That makes the difference. We want every child in our city to feel safe, seen and supported.”
“The dedication of the schools in Sint-Truiden is admirable. They work hard to create a safe and positive learning environment in which Bullying has no place. Although we can never really rule out Bullying, tackling it can make a big difference in bullying figures and the experience of the victims and the group,”
says Anoek Smeyers of vzw EVO.
“What makes this approach even stronger is the focus on the broader community. By paying attention to connecting work not only in schools, but also in sports clubs, youth movements and other organizations, we put the child at the center. This ensures that children and young people will feel supported everywhere and can grow up in an environment where respect and empathy are the norm,”
concludes Smeyers.
What led to Sint-Truiden’s anti-bullying initiative?
The anti-bullying initiative at Sint-Truiden emerged from the school’s desire to build a secure educational environment that fostered caring and supportive interactions without fear of Bullying.
The initiative dedicated itself to identifying Bullying as a substantial educational obstacle which undermines students ‘ mental wellness and intellectual growth while striving to build a respectful, supportive learning environment for the school’s population.
Ashfields blended multiple anti-bullying tactics through educational assemblies and staff skill development, and teaching content about Bullying, specifically regarding cyberbullying and sexting. A core element of the initiative involved implementing restorative practice methods that allowed victim-perpetrator conversations to enhance understanding and address damage while moving past traditional fault attribution.
The process operates based on four principles: respect, responsibility, repair and reintegration to achieve constructive outcomes within an environment that supports student welfare. This initiative demonstrates the broader school’s dedication to diversity, respect, and the maintenance of core values which protect student safety and value.
