Peer Mediation
What is Peer Mediation?
Peer Mediation is a method of using student peers to facilitate a discussion among students who are having a dispute using conflict resolution techniques. Resolving these conflict before they escalate can reduce the possibility of physical altercations leading to injury and disciplinary action. The skills developed through mediation can also be applied at home, in their communities and in future professional settings.
Benefits of Peer Mediation
Evidence shows that peer mediation fosters self-regulation, self-esteem and self-discipline in youth (Johnson & Johnson 1997; Turnuklu et al., 2010). Another positive outcome of peer mediation training is the ability of trained youth to transfer mediation skills to a variety of settings including family and neighborhood conflicts, helping youth to become better problem-solvers and more responsible citizens (Johnson & Johnson 1996b; Turnuklu, et al., 2010). Research supports the finding that a sense of belonging is a very important factor in preventing violence in schools. Suspension or expulsion can push students further away from their learning communities whereas a school peer mediation program promotes critical thinking and builds decision-making skills, develops healthy standards of relationship within the school community and supports student self-determination.
Conflicts of different intensity levels are an everyday occurrence between people everywhere. When parties to a conflict do not know how to communicate openly and honestly, the conflict tends to escalate and grow. Peer mediation programs provide youth and adults with the tools and skills to resolve conflicts nonviolently.
Peer Mediation Coordinators
- Provide instructions to students in the area of conflict resolution, anger management, anti-bullying and harassment so they can assist their peers
- Teach peer mediation skills through, small/large group instruction
- Mediate student/student conflicts to deescalate situations
- Assist parents and students to resolve issues
What does the peer mediation process look like?
The peer mediation process is voluntary, confidential, informal, respectful and impartial. Most importantly, peer mediation puts conflict back into the hands of the students, giving them a sense of ownership of their problems, and creating within them an investment in collaborative resolution processes.
When a case is referred to peer mediation, the case will generally go through a basic intake/development process to determine if the conflict is appropriate for mediation and if the students referred are willing to participate in a peer mediation session. If the students agree to the participate, a session is scheduled that consists of the following steps:
- An agreement to mediate and a foundation of ground rules,
- The sharing of perspectives,
- Defining the problem,
- Generating and evaluating potential solutions, focusing on interests, rather than positions, and
- Composing and signing a written agreement.
Each participant will evaluate the peer mediation process at the conclusion of the session, and peer mediation program staff or coordinators will use these evaluations to follow up with students to address any questions/concerns and to, after a week or two, inquire into the durability of and satisfaction with the mediation agreement.
What kind of disputes can be resolved through peer mediation?
School-based peer mediation is most commonly used to help resolve issues that directly affect student relationships, such as:
- School rumors/ gossip
- Social networking and other Internet-based provocations
- Dissolution of friendships or romantic relationships
- Minor bullying/harassment
- Cheating on schoolwork
- Property theft
- Vandalism
- Confrontations that result from differences in race, culture, sexuality, religion, status, etc.
Not all conflict cases are appropriate for peer mediation. Case types that should be immediately referred to school counselors, administration and/or outside authorities, as each individual school's policies dictate, include:
- Drug abuse/possession
- Weapon use/possession
- Sexual, physical or emotional abuse/assault
- Suicide threats or attempts
- Any issue that might interfere with current or pending legal action or judicial rulings (such as restraining orders, etc.)
Additionally, if evidence or threats of abuse or any other indication of eminent danger to the safety of either participants or peer mediators emerges during the mediation session, students must be trained to immediately report such threats to the Program Coordinator or other designated school representative for proper handling.
Sources
Dr. Anthony Bryant, Peer Mediation Coordinator, Walker Mill Middle School
Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Toolkit - irex.org source