Violence against children has many faces and forms, which is why it is important to pay attention to all types and manifestations of violence and bullying—both against and among children. Often, the focus is placed on physical violence, but the hidden forms of emotional blackmail and pressure, social rejection or exclusion, mockery, offensive messages on social media, and other behaviors fall under the category of psychological abuse, which also has long-term effects on a child’s personal development.

On this day, we would like to highlight a new tool for raising awareness and reporting violence involving children. One such platform is the Viber bot BOTkrepa for the prevention of school violence.

It is available at: https://viber.com/botkrepa or by searching “Боткрепа” in the Viber search bar on Android, iOS, and desktop devices.

The bot is designed for students, teachers, and parents. Students will find in BOTkrepa tips for staying safe at school and online, as well as contact information for help if they are victims or witnesses of bullying. Through BOTkrepa, parents can learn how to recognize signs that their child is being bullied—or bullying others—and what actions to take. Teachers will find classroom activity ideas for prevention, as well as guidance for talking to parents and students in cases of bullying or violence.

The project is implemented by the Future Perfect Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF Bulgaria, with financial support from the VIVACOM Fund.