Social Justice Activism

learners’ vulnerability to engage in such behavior. Risk factors can be mitigated
by protective factors.
Protective factors: factors that encourage the positive development and wellbeing
of children. Protective factors shield young people from the risks of
experiencing harm, engaging in criminal activity, or becoming violent. Though
protective factors are less researched than risk factors, they are equally
important to develop effective educational prevention programs and, more
broadly, support learners’ socio-emotional, physical,
and intellectual development. Protective factors also nurture social
inclusion, civic engagement, agency and interconnectedness.
Risk and protective factors can be found at the individual, family, peer and social levels.
The more a learning context reduces risk factors and increases protective factors, the
more likely it will succeed in enhancing the well-being of the individual and, as a result,
strengthen their resilience to crime and violence.
Adult women and men, whether parents, educators or school personnel, may have a
different perception of learners’ degree of exposure to risk and their abilities to face
them. Therefore, learners need to be perceived and treated as knowledgeable and
engaged actors.
It not only increases the likelihood of gaining an accurate understanding of their learning
needs but also bolsters their sense of empowerment and strengthens their decisionmaking
abilities.
Assessment processes should take a positive approach to learners’ abilities by focusing
on questions such as, ‘what is going well?’ and ‘what are the learners’ strengths and
assets to face this situation?’ rather than exclusively considering “what is going wrong?’.
It is possible to identify relevant educational responses by distinguishing between three
types of prevention efforts, which also helps design relevant and impactful interventions:
Primary prevention 3 efforts target all learners, whether they show any level of
risk or not. At its core, primary prevention is about strengthening communities
and individuals, and ensuring their well-being and connectedness with
their families and communities.
Secondary prevention is provided in addition to primary prevention to individuals
who are at risk of victimization or involvement in violence or crimes. Early
indications might include problems of disrespecting the RoL or committing a
crime. In these contexts, some learners may be given additional academic
support and SEL-related trainings, if they are considered ‘at risk’ of being
victimized or of developing problematic behaviors.
Page 70 of 161