Safety in Numbers: Why Equipping Learners with Violence Prevention Skills Is the Key to Safer Schools

White Paper: Safety in Numbers

Author: Dr. Dawn Lindsey

Executive Summary

Youth-involved violence in schools has reached crisis levels globally. From South Africa to Sweden, Brazil to Bangladesh, students face daily risks of bullying, assault, and even fatal attacks. Teachers, although essential, are not present in sufficient numbers to address every incident or warning sign. With shrinking public education and safety budgets in many countries, new strategies are needed that leverage the largest and most underutilized population in schools: the students themselves. This white paper argues that Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) — a globally tested and proven violence prevention methodology — offers a scalable, cost-effective, and transformative solution. Through a combination of education, de-escalation techniques, and values that foster a culture of peace, ESD equips learners to become active participants in creating safe school environments.

Personal Statement

As a high school student in South Africa, I, Dr. Dawn Lindsey, witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences of unchecked school violence. My teacher, Mr. Krause, was stabbed in front of his students at Aloe Senior Secondary School in Lentegeur, Mitchell's Plain — a traumatic event that ended his life right there in our classroom, and forever shaped mine. Today, I dedicate my work to building systems of safety that do not rely solely on authority figures but that empower every young person with the tools to protect themselves and others.

1. The Global Escalation of Youth-Involved School Violence

The past decade has seen an increase in both the frequency and severity of youth-involved violence in schools around the world — from knife attacks in the United Kingdom, gang violence in Latin America, and sexual harassment in schools across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. According to UNESCO, nearly 246 million children experience violence in and around schools every year. This includes bullying, corporal punishment, sexual harassment, and physical assault. These alarming figures highlight systemic issues: socio-economic inequality, lack of youth mental health support, overburdened school staff, and limited access to peace education.

2. Why Teachers Alone Are Not the Solution

Despite their dedication, teachers face challenges that make it difficult to serve as the sole guardians of school safety:- In many countries, teacher-to-student ratios exceed 1:30, and in under-resourced schools, can rise to 1:60 or more.- Teachers are often overburdened with academic and administrative responsibilities.- Many lack training in de-escalation, trauma-informed care, or violence prevention. Expecting teachers to carry the full weight of school safety is unrealistic. A comprehensive, global strategy must center on empowering learners themselves.

3. The Power of Students: Safety in Numbers

Students are not just bystanders — they are the most populous and immediate resource for prevention. When equipped with the right tools, students can:- Recognize and report early warning signs.- De-escalate peer conflict.- Resist harmful behaviors and group dynamics.- Foster inclusive, nonviolent cultures in schools. In nearly every country, students outnumber teachers by at least 10 to 1. Investing in student empowerment yields exponential impact.

4. Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) as a Proven Global Solution

Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) is a trauma-informed, evidence-based violence prevention approach that teaches youth to recognize, prevent, and interrupt violence. Core components of ESD include:- Boundary setting and verbal assertiveness- De-escalation and conflict resolution- Physical self-defense skills appropriate to age and context- Bystander intervention- Trauma resilience and healing-centered learning ESD stands apart from traditional self-defense through its focus on prevention, inclusion, and adaptability. It has been implemented successfully in over 60 countries, customized to reflect cultural, social, and linguistic contexts. Evidence of Impact:- In Kenya and Malawi, ESD led to over 50% reductions in assault rates among participants.- In Nepal, ESD has helped reduce trafficking vulnerabilities among adolescent girls.- In Israel, Brazil, India, and the Philippines, ESD has strengthened resilience in youth facing daily violence.- In high-income countries like Germany and the UK, ESD has been adopted in schools as part of mental health and gender-based violence prevention initiatives.

5. Addressing Global Budget Constraints Through Scalable Student-Based Solutions

As nations reprioritize spending, education and youth safety are often underfunded. Many schools operate without counselors, mental health workers, or safety programs. Meanwhile, reactive measures such as surveillance and policing offer limited long-term impact. Why ESD is a financially viable global option:- Can be delivered by teachers, community leaders, or peer educators- Adaptable to diverse school systems, age groups, and regions- Supports broader educational goals such as health, civic engagement, and gender equality- Low-cost with high-impact outcomes Investing in youth-led prevention is not just smart policy — it’s a global imperative.

6. From Tragedy to Transformation: Dr. Lindsey’s Vision

My journey in violence prevention began with the trauma of losing a teacher to school violence in South Africa. It continued through decades of work in global philanthropy, community development, and Empowerment Self-Defense. I’ve witnessed firsthand how empowering learners can transform not just individual lives but entire school cultures. Through "Safety in Numbers," we advocate for a global movement that sees young people not as problems to be managed, but as solutions to be activated.

Global Recommendations

1. Governments and Ministries of Education: Adopt national policies supporting ESD and youth-centered prevention curricula.2. Schools and Educational Institutions: Integrate ESD into physical education, life skills, or citizenship education.3. NGOs and Community Organizations: Partner with local schools to deliver ESD and sustain peer-led models.4. Funders and Donors: Prioritize investments in scalable, youth-based safety interventions.5. Researchers and Evaluators: Expand global evidence on the impact of ESD on school safety, gender equity, and mental well-being.

Conclusion

Safety is not a luxury; it is a right. And ensuring it for the world’s youth requires scalable, inclusive, and proven tools. Empowerment Self-Defense offers one such tool — grounded in evidence and adaptable across borders. Students offer the numbers — powerful, present, and ready to lead. Let us reimagine school safety not as a line of defense guarded by the few, but as a shared culture built by the many. There is safety in numbers — if we choose to empower them.---For more information or partnership inquiries, contact Dr. Dawn Lindsey at dawn.lindsey@esdglobalselfdefense.org