Safety factors: “There are always ways to solve bullying”

- I love this job, says Anna Surakka. 

She works as a specialist in tackling bullying in Vantaa and is involved in solving the most difficult cases of bullying.

- Solutions for all situations have been found together, Surakka explains her experiences.

Vantaa works hard to eradicate bullying, and common solutions have been considered for tackling bullying.

- There are always ways to solve bullying, sometimes quite quickly, says Surakka.

Agreed operating models are important

Vantaa has an anti-bullying plan for the entire city. This means that all schools and early childhood education and care centers have common guidelines on the subject.

Most anti-bullying work is done directly in units, i.e., schools, early childhood education and care centers, high schools, and vocational schools.

One of the principles is that every adult intervenes in bullying and that every comprehensive school has an intervening in bullying team to tackle bullying.

- Vantaa takes bullying cases very seriously, Anna Surakka summarizes.

Pre-agreed operating models for intervention are important, Surakka emphasizes.

- It is important for all adults to know what to do. Children should also know what is happening so that they dare tell about bullying.

The goal is to provide a safe learning environment for everyone.

Adults always help

Bullying is usually first reported to one or two familiar adults in school. An adult in the school will always help, says special education teacher Milla Suvikas of Lehtikuusen koulu (Lehtikuusi School).

Bullying will be tackled immediately.

- The bullied student cannot wait days or weeks for us to intervene, says Suvikas, a member of her school’s intervening in bullying team.

According to Suvikas, the key to tackling bullying is listening to the students.

- We do not start by looking for the guilty ones; we listen to and talk with all parties involved in all cases. We will also involve guardians from the very beginning.

Follow-up is also important and will be done until the bullying is known to have stopped.

Children are taught emotional skills

A large part of the fight against bullying is prevention, which is implemented in Vantaa, for example, through team building, agreeing on common rules, and teaching emotional and interaction skills.

Emotional and interaction skills play a key role in preventing bullying, says Surakka.

- Emotional and interaction skills help students work together constructively. For example, students’ emotional regulation and compassion skills develop. 

From finding reasons to reaching solutions

Sometimes schools need support in tackling bullying. In Vantaa, you can get the support needed from a specialist in tackling bullying, through whom external investigators can also be included.

Special needs teacher Milla Suvikas is one of these  K-0-trained employees who investigate cases of prolonged bullying. K-0 stands for zero unresolved conflicts, Suvikas explains. The model developed by Children of the Station has become permanent in basic education in Vantaa.

Cases of prolonged and challenging bullying are addressed by considering the root causes.

- Even difficult locks begin to open when we give support to all parties involved in bullying and strengthen positive action. It is important to influence not only the individuals but also the group, and to work closely with the guardians, Surakka says.

“Tell about bullying”

Anna Surakka and Milla Suvikas find the work against bullying really meaningful.

- I see how children and young people get help and I can also help by educating others. Often, consulting the school is enough, Surakka says.

- I have seen many students who are so relieved when bullying ends. I think this is almost one of the most important things we do at school. A student can only learn when they feel safe, Suvikas ponders.

It is important for a school or an early childhood education and care center to know about bullying, experts remind us.

- We cannot help, if we do not know. The most important thing is that the students tell about bullying. Parents can also always contact the school, and we can help in those situations, Suvikas encourages.

Video footage is an illustration of the school world.

The video article is the second part of the three-part Turvallisuuden tekijät (“Safety Factors”) series. The third part of the series will be published in early 2026. The series presents the work that is being done in Vantaa for safety.