On the initiative of Viacheslav Davydenko, Rector of Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, the university hosted a scientific and practical discussion platform entitled «The Role of National Police Authorities in Countering Bullying» with the participation of scientists, practitioners, representatives of city authorities, and public organizations.

The event began with welcoming remarks from Inna Yashchuk, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine; Vasyl Bohdan, Head of the Juvenile Prevention Department of the National Police of Ukraine; and Vira Protsiv, Deputy Head of the Department – Head of the Service Organization Division of the Educational Security Service of the National Police of Ukraine.

During the discussion, topical issues were raised regarding parents' refusal to allow their children to be interviewed; the problem of documenting the fact of bullying and proving its systematic nature; interagency cooperation between entities involved in bullying prevention; measures to promote lawful behavior; the activities of social service workers when communicating with children in difficult life situations; the protection of children's personal data; the specifics of educating children convicted of criminal offenses without imprisonment; and crisis programs.

Participants proposed introducing school mediation to resolve conflicts between peers; involving psychologists from non-governmental organizations in cases where there is no school psychologist; and developing a unified procedure for responding to child abuse.

Bullying is a problem that cannot be ignored or hushed up.

Unit of Communication of the OSUIA