School-related gender-based violence in Viet Nam refers to physical, sexual, psychosocial and verbal violence that takes place in the Vietnamese education system. Different forms of School-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) interact and overlap. Bullying, for instance, occurs when there is an imbalance of power between the “bully” and the “bullied” and can happen through physical contact, verbal attacks, social exclusion, and psychological manipulation. Students are bullied when they are repeatedly and intentionally exposed to harmful and/or aggressive behaviour that results in injury or discomfort.
Scale Global, regional and local research demonstrates that schools and other educational institutions in Viet Nam are not always safe and inclusive spaces for children and young people. Many schools are sites of physical, verbal, psychosocial and sexual violence.Pinheiro P. (2006). World Report on Violence against Children. Geneva: United Nations.UNESCO. (2014). School-Related Gender-Based Violence in the Asia-Pacific Region. Bangkok: UNESCO.Greene M, Robles O, and Stout K. (2012). A Girl’s Right to Learn Without Fear: Working to End Gender-Based Violence at School. Toronto: Plan.UNICEF. (2014). Hidden in Plain Sight: A Statistical Analysis of Violence against Children. New York: UNICEF. This violence appears to be on the rise with incidents reported to the Department of Child Care and Protection hotline increasing by a factor of 13 in the last decade.Nhan, Dan (2013). School violence – S.O.S! The People Online Newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.nhandan.com.vn/hangthang/ khoahoc-giaoduc/item/21233602-bao-luc-hoc- duong-s-o-s.html Research in two schools of Hai Phong City showed that nearly 57% of the students surveyed had been bullied.Horton, P. (2011). School Bullying and Power Relations in Vietnam [Thesis]. (Doctor of Philosophy), Linköping: Linköping University. Further, a field survey carried out by the Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP) with 520 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) at the average age of 21 has shown that 41% suffered from discrimination and violence in either general education schools or universities.Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population. (2012). Case Study on Sexuality and Law in Viet Nam. Ha Noi: CCIHP. This violence can negatively impact the wellbeing and education performance of children and young people.Hershberger, S. L., & D’Augelli, A. R. (1995). The impact of victimization on the mental health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Developmental Psychology, 31, 65–74.Jones, T., & Hillier, L. (2013). Comparing Trans-Spectrum and Same-sex Attracted Youth: Increased risks, increased activisms. LGBT Youth, 10(4), 287–307.Mahidol University, Plan International Thailand, & UNESCO Bangkok. (2014). Bullying Targeting Secondary School Students Who Are or Are Perceived To Be Transgender Or Same-Sex Attracted: Types, Prevalence, Impact, Motivation and Preventive Measures in 5 provinces of Thailand. Bangkok: UNESCO. In the long-term such violence may adversely affect employment prospects and the economic development of the country.World Bank. (2013). Inclusion Matters: The Foundation for Shared Prosperity—Overview. Washington D.C.: World Bank.
Studies In 2013 the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) showed that approximately one in six students, aged 13–17 years, reported being in a physical fight one or more times during the last 12 months, with this behaviour being more common for boys (26%) than girls (10%).World Health Organisation & Hanoi Medical University. (2013). Global School-based Student Health Survey: Vietnam 2013 Fact Sheet. Hanoi: WHO. Reported experiences of bullying, one or more days within the last 30 days, were however similar for boys and girls (23% and 24% respectively).Quang Dao, V. (2015). Thế giới đau đầu với bạo lực học đường. VGP News: The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Online Newspaper of the Government. Retrieved from http://baochinhphu . vn/Quoc-te/The-gioi-dau-dau-voi-bao-luc-hoc- duong/222245 Other small scale studies have confirmed that (i) school violence is common; (ii) forms of violence among students include physical, psychological, sexual and social violence as well as bullying; and (iii) students with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity or expression are also reported to be targeted for violence.Horton, P. (2011). School bullying and Power relations in Viet Nam. Research conducted on two Grade 9 classes’ students in two Upper-secondary schools in Hanoi. Linkoping University.Le, V.A. (2013). Solutions for Preventing Violent Behaviours among Upper-Secondary Students. Ministerial-level Task, Code B2011-37-03 NV, Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences.Hang, N. T. T., & Tam, T. N. T. M. (2013). School Violence – Evidence from Research of Young Lives Việt Nam. Oxford: Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford.Nguyen, N. T. (2012). School Violence in Hanoi, Vietnam. Singapore National University.
Viet Nam has also had some research studies about violence against LGBT students, including a field survey carried out by CCIHP with 520 LGBT people with the average age of 21. This study revealed that 41% of LGBT participants suffered from discrimination and violence in either schools or universities. Save the Children Vietnam and the Institute of Social and Medical Studies completed a separate study on 170 LGBT young adults which found that discrimination against these children (at home and school) contributed to their increased risk of homelessness.Save the Children. (2015). Child Rights Situation Analysis. Ha Noi: Viet Nam Country Office. They were at high risk of violence at home, school and on the streets. Only 15.9% of the LGBT youth participants had a post-secondary school education, 47.8% had only a lower secondary education, 27.6% had only a primary school education, and 8.7% had no schooling at all.
One study conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) involving 2,363 respondents from 63 provinces in Viet Nam found that one in three respondents felt that they had been subject to discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity within 12 months preceding the survey, with a high degree of frequency.Luong, T.H.,&Pham, Q, P.(2015).Is it because I am LGBT?: Discriminations on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Vietnam. Ha Noi: The Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment. The study also reported that transgender people experience the highest degree of discrimination. This study focused its analysis on the discrimination experienced by LGBT people in families, schools, workplaces, healthcare settings and housing, among other aspects. Looking specifically at the school setting, the study found that nearly a quarter of students had been harassed, bullied by teachers and/or school officials because they were considered to be LGBT. Gender indicative uniforms proved to be a significant obstacle for transgender people, affecting their quality of learning and their mental health. In light of the findings, some recommendations specific to the education sector included: 1) School psychological counseling models need to pre-empt the psychological and physical development of students to provide well-timed educational support; 2) Create extracurricular programs that respond to the needs of students; 3) Respect students’ choice of uniform to fit with their desired gender and; 4) Educate faculties about the LGBT community. One study conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) involving 2,363 respondents from 63 provinces in Viet Nam found that one in three respondents felt that they had been subject to discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity within 12 months preceding the survey, with a high degree of frequency.106 The study also reported that transgender people experience the highest degree of discrimination. This study focused its analysis on the discrimination experienced by LGBT people in families, schools, workplaces, healthcare settings and housing, among other aspects. Looking specifically at the school setting, the study found that nearly a quarter of students had been harassed, bullied by teachers and/or school officials because they were considered to be LGBT. Gender indicative uniforms proved to be a significant obstacle for transgender people, affecting their quality of learning and their mental health. In light of the findings, some recommendations specific to the education sector included: 1) School psychological counselling models need to preempt the psychological and physical development of students to provide well-timed educational support; 2) Create extracurricular programs that respond to the needs of students; 3) Respect students’ choice of uniform to fit with their desired gender and; 4) Educate faculties about the LGBT community.
Plan International Viet Nam, in cooperation with the Ha Noi Department of Education and Training (DOET), Center for Research and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), and the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), has implemented a “Gender Responsive School Pilot Model project” meant to prevent and respond to SRGBV. The 3-year project (2014-2016), funded by UNTF and Plan International involves 20 secondary/high schools in Ha Noi. The intervention provides teacher training on gender equality, SRGBV, and reproductive health to encourage lessons on related topics to be integrated into the curriculum. The intervention also encourages the formation of youth leadership organizations and awareness-raising activities with parents. A key component of the project is the establishment of a psychological counselling room at the participating schools. To date, nearly 2,300 students have received individualized counselling and over 4,100 students have received group counselling. The project has found that while only 6% of students in Viet Nam know about a public hotline for counselling, 21% of the total students in the 20 schools of the project have sought counselling services.Plan International Viet Nam. (2016). Current situation of school-based violence in Ha Noi. Policy Dialogue on Ensuring Safe and Inclusive Education Environments in Viet Nam. 28 July 2016, Melia Hotel, Ha Noi.
Prevention