Bart van den Dolder

Drenthe College, location Meppel

• About 800 students• Age: about 16 – 21 years old• Vocational education• Several courses of study

My work experience

1975-1990: teacher (Dutch language)

1990-2000: leader of several teams and member participation council

2000-2007: timetabling and planning

2007-2012: chairman works council and confidential adviser

retired in September 2012

Confidential adviser

The Dutch law obliges every school to have :

a complaints procedure

a complaints committee

confidential advisers (male/female)

Several kinds of complaints:

School organizational frequently cancelled lessonsproblems with exams

conflict with a teacher

No complaints for a confidential adviser !

Several kinds of complaints:

Unwanted behaviour

Par excellence:

complaints to consult a confidential adviser !

Confidential adviser

Tasks:

• point of contact in case of complaints of unwanted behaviour

• first intake of a complainer• advising a complainer• look for a solution together with complainer • examine the case: what does the complainer

want?

Confidential adviser

• assisting a defendant

• complainer: confidential adviser A• defendant: confidential adviser B

18+ or 18-

Under 18 :

•obliged to inform parents or guardians

Over 18 :

•not obliged to inform parents or guardians•in practice: parents or partner are informed

Choice of a complainer

• Mediation • Report a complaint• File a complaint

• In case of a punishable act:

always complaint and report to the management the police

Mediation

• the case is not a sexual crime or a punishable act

• both participants want a solution• both participants act voluntarily• both participants accept a solution• agreements will be registered and verified

Report

Depending on the seriousness, report to

•the supervisor of the class•the leader of the team/manager•the director•the board

Complaint

Depending on the seriousness, report to

• the school management • the complaints committee• the police

Procotol

• who must be informed?• what happens with the complainer?• what happens with the defendant?• which authorities must be informed?

Secrecy

• confidential adviser cannot promise secrecy

• confidential adviser can promise carefullness

• confidential adviser should be able to refer the complainer to an expert

• confidential adviser must inform the complainer who will be informed and why

• confidental adviser must sort out the complainers wish of secrecy

Unwanted behaviour

Sexual intimidation

Every kind of verbal, nonverbal or corporal behaviour with a sexual intention which has the aim to harm the dignity of somebody, especially when creating a threatening, hateful, humiliating, disparaging or insulting attitude.

Unwanted behaviour

Manifestation of sexual intimidation:

• verbal, sexual intimidation• hostile disparaging behaviour• suggestive impute behaviour• (internet) porn• digital sexual intimidation• physical violence• violation• rape• loverboys• banga list

Unwanted behaviour

Agression and violence

Incidents in which somebody is bothered, threatened or attacked verbally or nonverbally, psychologically or corporally.

Unwanted behaviour

Manifestation of agression and violence

Verbal:• cursing• insulting• hostility• threatFysical:• kicking• biting• grabbing• armed violence

Unwanted behaviour

Psychological:

• bothering• intimidating• irritating• stalking

Unwanted behaviour

Discrimination

Every kind of making a difference, exclusion, restriction or preference of somebody because of race, ethnic origion, age, handicap, gender of sexual nature.

Manifestation of discrimination

Making a difference in one of the mentioned aspects.

Unwanted behaviour

Bullying and tormenting

All kinds of intimidating behaviour in a structural way, directed against someone who is not able to defend himself to this behaviour.

Unwanted behaviour

Manifestation of bullying and tormenting

• social isolation• mocking• gossip• cyberbullying

Bullying has a snowball effect

Bullying is the worst way of unwanted behaviour.

The victim cannot defend himself and does not know a way out.

Bullying

Bullying can drive someone to commit suicide..

Last year we have seen this twice in Holland..

In December 2012 in our own city of Meppel..

Fleur Bloemen

Poem by Fleur

At my previous schoolI was bullied very muchI was different than the other onesDifferent from the restI don’t know whyIt began as a gameIt got out of handAnd to me it ended in a hellIt went on for three yearsAnd not just name calling every dayWhich I also hear every dayI had had enough of it

Poem by Fleur

I had had it up to hereNow I’m away from thereWith great pleasureDeep in my heart I’m afraidBecause it might repeat itselfThen I will feel that pain againAnd I never want that any more

A classmate says:

“I find it so terribly pathetic. She was always called fatty”

Silent march

Mayor Westmaas:

•Bullying is hurtful

•Bullying causes psychological damage

•Bullying is villainously scratching someone’s soul

What parents and teachers can do:

• give the person support and understanding• make the feeling debatable• give the person self-confidence• make compliments to the person about things he is good

at and encourage him• refer the person to a confidential adviser

• talk with bullies• make bullies aware of the impact of their behaviour• do not tolerate the behaviour of bullies• do not be afraid to sanction

House rules

Profile confidential adviser

Audience