Sint-Truiden (Eurotoday) – The city of Sint-Truiden has been recognized for its comprehensive and proactive campaign against bullying, receiving an award for a two-year initiative that has transformed its educational and community response to bullying following a severe incident in 2022.
In the aftermath of the serious bullying case, Sint-Truiden assembled a diverse team that included schools, parents, Youth and Sports Services, and local authorities. Together, they launched a city-wide plan in 2022 with a unified effort to create a safer environment for children and adolescents across both educational and non-educational settings.
As a result of this work, Sint-Truiden became the first city in the Flanders region to adopt the Finnish KiVa anti-bullying curriculum in all its primary schools and implemented the STIPP strategy in all secondary schools. Supported by €70,000 in funding, the program emphasizes understanding group dynamics, promoting recovery from bullying, and engaging the broader community. These achievements were highlighted in coverage by VRT.
Recent statistics reveal that one in five students in both primary and secondary education face bullying, underscoring the urgency of initiatives like this.
“A structural, sustainable approach is necessary. That is why scientifically substantiated methods were chosen that focus on group dynamics, recovery and connecting work,” the city council stated.
Understanding that bullying extends beyond school walls—into online spaces and free time—officials expanded their strategy accordingly.
“Bullying has long since ceased to only occur at school, so our policy must also extend beyond the school gate,” said Gert Stas, Alderman for Youth (Vooruit). “By also involving partners outside of education, such as youth and sports services, the child feels that he or she can count on help everywhere. This creates an environment where respect and empathy become the norm, and bullying is no longer allowed.”
Councillor for Education Katrien Bomans (WOW) emphasized the deep impacts of bullying and the importance of early intervention.
“Bullying leaves deep scars not only on victims, but also on bullies and silent bystanders. If it does not leave emotional scars, it can lead to dropping out of school or reduced school performance. Thanks to methods from anti-bullying programmes such as KiVa and STIPP, schools can intervene more quickly and focus on recovery. That makes the difference. We want every child in our city to feel safe, seen and supported.”
Anoek Smeyers of the nonprofit EVO praised the dedication of schools in Sint-Truiden, highlighting the transformative effect of their efforts.
“The dedication of the schools in Sint-Truiden is admirable. They work hard to create a safe and positive learning environment in which bullying has no place. Although we can never really rule out bullying, tackling it can make a big difference in bullying figures and the experience of the victims and the group.”
Smeyers also pointed out the added strength in the city’s community-wide perspective.
“What makes this approach even stronger is the focus on the broader community. By paying attention to connecting work not only in schools, but also in sports clubs, youth movements and other organizations, we put the child at the center. This ensures that children and young people will feel supported everywhere and can grow up in an environment where respect and empathy are the norm,” she concluded.
What Inspired Sint-Truiden’s Anti-Bullying Campaign?
The seeds of Sint-Truiden’s anti-bullying initiative were sown in a shared mission among educators and city officials to create a secure, empathetic educational environment where students can thrive free from fear.
Recognizing bullying as a significant barrier to both mental well-being and academic success, the city set out to redefine the culture across its institutions. The approach integrated multiple tactics—such as educational awareness sessions, teacher training, and content focused on digital threats like cyberbullying and sexting.
At its heart, the initiative implemented restorative practices, fostering dialogue between victims and perpetrators to promote understanding, repair damage, and move forward without simply assigning blame.
The project is anchored in four core principles: respect, responsibility, repair, and reintegration. These guiding values aim to produce meaningful, long-term outcomes for students in an atmosphere where core human values are championed and upheld.
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