The Zonta Club Osnabrück Westfälischer Friede, Germany, funded a school workshop, “Violence Is Not an Option,” at the Westerberg Vocational School, encouraging students to examine what constitutes violence and how it can be prevented.

Moderated by coach and Zonta member Debbie Stoll, the project brought together 11th-grade students from the school’s social pedagogy program to explore questions such as: When does a joke become violence? Why do people become violent? How can individuals respond to violence?

Students, primarily ages 17 to 20, discussed their experiences and perceptions of violence at school and considered possible strategies for addressing it. They then created posters and interactive activities to encourage their peers to reflect on the issue.

On the second day of the project, participants shared what they had learned with students from a parallel class. Through five workshops, they presented their discussions and reflections in their own words and encouraged their classmates to continue the conversation.

Students explored both physical and psychological violence, noting that while physical violence may be easier to recognize, psychological violence can take forms such as social exclusion, discrimination, bullying and other harmful behavior, including behavior carried out through mobile phones and digital platforms.

The discussions also highlighted how perceptions can differ. What one person considers a joke may already cross a boundary for another. Students considered possible causes of violence and discussed how empathy, listening and open dialogue can help prevent conflicts from escalating.

Participants also explored strategies for managing conflict, including seeking dialogue with the support of a neutral person when necessary and identifying healthy ways to manage emotions and stress.

The project received positive feedback, with participants expressing interest in continuing it during the new school year. Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Stolze and an intern from the prevention team of the Osnabrück Police Inspectorate attended as observers and are considering adapting the project for police trainees.