The Republic of Srpska

A round table on the topic Peer Violence – Prevention was held today in the premises of the Administration for Police Education in the Training Centre in Zalužani, on the occasion of marking the International Day against Peer Violence. During the last five years, the rate of peer violence in the Republic of Srpska has continuously increased. According to the statement given by the Head of the Administration for Police Education of the RS MoI, it is important to define the measures that should be undertaken in the future. He pointed out that the overall rate of criminal offences committed by minors compared to the reported adults, has continuously decreased over the last 20 years and that its rate at the moment was 2.4%, but that on the other hand, the rate of minors committing peer violence had increased. As he explained, the objective was to discuss about juvenile delinquency, peer violence, their causes and the manner in which these issues should be dealt with and prevented. Assistant to the Minister for Preschool and Elementary Education, Ms Nataša Cvijanović, emphasized that the Republic of Srpska Government has zero tolerance to violence, and reminded the audience that last year they adopted a set of measures against violence and its prevention in elementary and secondary schools and boarding schools. She added that the programme included 11 priorities and 69 measures, and that they were in the process of adopting a protocol on activities in case of violence, abuse and neglect, signed by the four line ministries – for education, internal affairs, health care and family, youth and sports. Cvijanović mentioned that prevention had particular importance, as well as close cooperation with parents and students and strengthening professional capacities in schools and of all personnel working in educational institutions in order to obtain the specific knowledge in recognizing violence and reacting at a particular moment. The Ombudsma