School Violence and the Efficacy of the Action Plan Against Violence: A School Counselor Perspective

This study explores school counselors’ perceptions of their roles in addressing school violence and their evaluations of the Action Plan Against Violence (APAV) . Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 15 school counselors working in schools from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, the study reveals that counselors' roles are shaped by contextual dynamics and vary notably across settings. Four key themes emerged from the data: (1) school context and counselor roles, (2) perceptions of violence, (3) implementation of the action plan, and (4) training needs. Counselors working in lower socioeconomic schools primarily addressed physical violence, emphasizing issues such as absenteeism, aggression, and lack of motivation. In contrast, those in middle and upper socioeconomic schools highlighted psychological and verbal violence, often rooted in competition and peer pressure. However, many counselors in higher SES schools did not see addressing these forms of violence as central to their role. The APAV was frequently described as a bureaucratic task with limited adaptability to specific school contexts, often implemented superficially or only on paper. The findings point to a need for context-sensitive, school-based violence prevention strategies, increased awareness and training opportunities for school counselors, and stronger institutional support. A policy shift that clearly defines and empowers counselors’ roles in violence prevention is essential for more effective implementation.