What we have to say
Conflict resolution through peer mediation
In an urban secondary school with a student population of 450 students, peer mediators and the parent of a peer mediator discuss the effect peer mediation has had on them.
Carol (parent): Gavin is more willing to talk about problems much more calmly - he doesn't get as emotional as he used to. He tends to wait for you to finish what you want to say without jumping in. I guess he has learnt to listen better.
Gavin (Year 11 student): I've actually had an argument or something and with my peer mediation training I've been able to say, 'Do we really have to make such a big deal out of this - can't we just sit down and talk about it?'
Carol: … Talking to his younger brothers, he doesn't tend to blame either of them if something happens - he tends to ask them why they do it and explores their views on it and tries to understand it rather than jumping in and presuming he knows why they have done it.
Rosie (Year 11): It reinforces the importance of talking things over and actually listening to the other side of the story, instead of just judging someone else and believing they are wrong and you are right all the time.
Nick (Year 11 student): At home and with friends it has really helped … like talking with my parents and sounding a little more intellectual … now I can get more what I want.
Del (counsellor/guidance officer): You mean like being able to negotiate better for things that you want?
Lizzie (Year 12 student): All those techniques that we've learnt help us to negotiate heaps better, like … paraphrasing what they say and using good open-ended questions.
Carol: I've also noticed that he is much more careful
when he is talking about someone to us. He is much more respectful about their
opinions and things and if it is a mediation he will never say who it was.
He is very respectful about confidentiality.
Note: Peer mediation is a form of conflict resolution in which a group of
students are trained to help other students resolve peer disputes. To ensure
student safety, this approach must be supported by a restorative
justice ethos and a wide range of conflict resolution skills among the
school community. Because the strategy is designed for the resolution of disputes
where both parties are keen for a 'win/win' solution, it is not recommended
for situations involving the repeated misuse of power.
Schools in Action:
Problem solving through peer mediation
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