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Mediation
"Many minor arguments become deadly confrontations because many young people only know how to use violence to solve their problems. Conflict resolution education shows them another way".
~Former US Attorney General Janet Reno
PEER MEDIATION
Peer mediation is a communication process in which a neutral third party (a trained student leader) helps their peers work together to resolve everyday disputes. Participation in peer mediation is both voluntary and confidential. Peer mediation provides schools with an alternative to customary disciplinary practices, such as suspension or detention. Trained students help their classmates identify the problems causing the conflicts and to find solutions. In peer mediation, it is not important who is right or wrong, but to teach the students how to get along. The peer mediator does not make a decision or come up with the solutions himself, but rather guides the students into coming up with their own ideas for possible solutions. Peer mediators ask questions for clarification and help the students identify ways to solve the conflict. It is critical in peer mediation that each student tells his or her own story and then feel as though someone understands his or her perspective.
PEER MEDIATION IS USED TO RESOLVE ARGUMENTS REGARDING:
- Spreading Rumors and Gossip
- Fighting
- Cheating
- Stealing
- Vandalism (Damaging Property that Does Not Belong to You)
- Bullying
MEDIATION STEPS:
1. Each student tells his or her story
2. Discuss the stories
3. Come up with some solutions
4. Discuss the solutions
5. Agree upon a solution
6. Sign a contract
Facts and Myths:
About Youth Violence
Facts and Myths about Youth Violence
Teenagers are safer from violence than adults.
Teenagers are two and a half times more likely than adults to be victims of violence. (1)
People usually get shot or killed by someone they do not know.
More than half of the homicides of adults and more than 75% of the homicides of teenagers involve people who know each other.1
Carrying a gun makes you safer. If you have a gun, people won't bother you.
In a survey of kids who had been injured by violence, 35% of the victims were carrying guns when they themselves were shot.1
Most homicide victims are killed by someone of another race.
The perpetrator and victim are of the same race about 90% of the time.
Violence helps you earn and maintain respect.
Respect is earned by displaying good character traits, such as being kind, warm, friendly, honest, and respectful.
Violence solves problems. Some guys just don't understand, and you've got to show them.
Violent solutions only bring short-term peace and often lead to more violence. Real peace is reached through careful talking and consideration of others.
If you don't fight, you're a chicken.
Walking away is smart. Bold actions have been done and will continue to be done by people who support non-violence, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
Being violent gives you a good reputation.
To be successful in life, you must put your personal safety first. Resolving conflict non-violently increases your chances for a long healthy life.
Joining a gang gives you protection.
Joining a gang increases your chances of being put into jail or getting hurt. It may also put your family at risk for getting hurt.
Drinking and taking drugs are okay as long as you don't lose control.
More than half of violent acts involve someone who has taken drugs or alcohol.
You can't do anything to stop violence.
Avoid weapons. Walk away from fights. Do not take drugs or drink alcohol.
Stop violent acts. Practice personal safety.
1. Yung BR, Hammond RW. PACT: Positive Adolescent Choices Training. Champaign (IL): Research Press 1995.
Youth Violence-Facts and Myths CDC.
Benefits for Students:
- Students become active in the problem solving process
- Students learn to share their ideas and feelings openly
- Students look for positive outcomes of conflict
- Students recognize they can solve their own problems
- Students assume greater responsibility for future problems
- Students learn how to de-escalate conflict in their lives
- Students learn acceptance and appreciate diversity among their peers
Benefits for Peer Mediators
- They improve their self-esteem
- They develop leadership
- They enhance their language and communication skills
- They learn a problem solving process to deal with conflicts in their lives
- They exhibit a strong positive influence among their peers
- They model peaceful responses to conflict
- They become invested in preventing violence in their schools
Benefits to the Community
- As schools teach their students positive, peaceful ways to resolve conflicts in their lives-youth will carry these life skills into adulthood.
When Conflict Arises you CAN make a difference in your life or in a peers life!
SELF
- Learn how to manage your anger in an appropriate manner
- Learn peaceful conflict resolution
- Turn conflict into opportunity
OTHERS
- Become a peer mediator at your school
- Become a peer mediator in a community mediation center
- Become a youth leader to promote peaceful conflict resolution
C - communicate
A - acknowledge conflict, accept feelings, act to resolve
N - negotiate
Resources
This site has excellent handouts and resources for educators.
Conflict Resolution Information Source
is the national organization listing conflict resolution information,
including some of those pertaining to the terrorist attacks from the CRE field.
Fear Free Education
Sally Northway Ogden is author of "Words Will Never Hurt Me", "Together is Better"
and "Bag O'Tricks: Strategies for Building a Fear-Free Classroom",
and a Colorado Teacher of the Year.
This site has lots of resources for teachers and educators,
providing links to activities, articles and research all over the world.
Lions International Peace Poster Contest
created in 1988 to give young people an opportunity
to express their feelings about peace.
CASEL
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning
has excellent resources and articles on social and emotional learning.
Building bridges between parents and schools in Michigan.
has gathered a few good resources for adults
to help children with their fears and grief.
A national youth violence prevention resource center.
The NCRLE School Violence Resource Center
aims to aid in the effort to reduce violence and violence related behavior.
Workable Peace includes a new web resource designed to help
high school teachers facilitate classroom dialogue on the
range of responses to the terrorist attacks.
http://www.partnersagainsthate.org/publications/index.html
Funded by OJJDP
http://www.nydic.org/
Boys and Girls Club, Girls Scouts, YWCA, Youth Crime Watch, and other teen leadership and volunteer activities.
Youth Service America for Youth volunteer opportunities.
Youth Vote Coilition
Youth Voting.
National Association School Resource Officers
Working to keep our schools safe. The National site for school safety.
