Mentors to ‘take a stand’ against abuse

Around 200 Scottish schools have rolled out a Mentors in Violence Prevention( M VP) programme, designed to clamp down on abusive behaviour in classrooms and playgrounds.

Based on a model created in the US and used in schools, colleges and armed forces training grounds there, it encourages people to “take a stand” against abuse.

Since its Scottish pilot in 2012, more than 6,000 fifth and sixth-year pupils have been trained to deliver lessons to younger students.

These cover topics including bullying, gender norms and domestic violence.

“Individuals have the ability to support”

The MVP scheme is designed to encourage youngsters to become “active bystanders” who can get involved and defuse situations.

An Education Scotland report last year said: “Individuals are not considered potential victims or perpetrators, but empowered and active bystanders with the ability to support and challenge their peers in a safe way.”

This is said to have led to an increase in pupils willing to alert staff to fights brewing and other violent behaviours, as well as intervening to break up such situations.

Of the 32 council areas in Scotland, 28 have so far introduced the programme in at least one of their schools.

The Scottish Government said the scheme is endorsed as part of Curriculum for Excellence and works to promote positive behaviour.