Following the episodes of attacks that occurred in schools in São Paulo (SP) and Blumenau (SC) in recent weeks, several sectors of civil society have expressed concern about the security of school environments in the country. If, on the one hand, the alert can draw attention to a reality that needs to be discussed, on the other, fear and misinformation can fuel a climate of social panic that is not effective in the situation. Thinking about reducing these fears and strengthening the participatory nature of security among the university community, the Unicamp Campus Experience Secretariat (SVC) has been carrying out a series of informative and awareness-raising actions for students, teachers, staff and the external community. Last Friday (14), a lecture was held at the Colégio Técnico de Campinas (Cotuca) with guidance on how to increase safety in school spaces (see the video below).
Rector Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles recorded a video message addressed to the university community and society in general. In his speech, Meirelles reiterates the University's commitment to a culture of peace and addresses the preventive actions that have been implemented. (access the video below)
The coordinator of SVC, Susana Durão, states that the organization works to prevent problems that may involve the safety and well-being of the university community by promoting a culture of peace whose focus is the protection of people and security heritage. Therefore, since 2017, they have worked with a participatory and collaborative security perspective, integrated with other areas of the university, such as teaching, research and administration. “We are a community that produces knowledge, science, so we also need to be informed about the phenomenon and what the indicators of this reality are,” she explains.
Susana reinforces that contact with the police forces of the municipality and state of São Paulo (Civil Guard, Military Police and Civil Police) and with the Community Security Council (Conseg) has also been intensified, which includes preventive police patrols in the vicinity of the campuses. “We network with these agencies for emergency issues and for our strategic planning. We cannot expect just one institution to take action against these risks, we need to take multiple actions.”
“We cannot deny reality”
Susana explains that the alert to the threat of attacks in schools is a new phenomenon in the country, but that understanding it and facing it correctly, using the knowledge produced by the university, is something that reinforces the culture of peace in the academic environment . "Perhaps we have to face the fact that we live in a violent society head-on. Brazil has social problems that result in a variety of violence, and they can manifest themselves for various reasons", she analyzes.
She mentions the importance of the entire university community being informed about events and, based on this, devising strategies to prevent situations like these at the university and acting appropriately. However, it makes it clear that this cannot have the opposite effect and cause insecurity in people. "It is not part of security precautions, from a culture of peace perspective, to identify a potential suspect in anyone. This creates panic in people. We do not want to create a culture of paranoia, but to connect with reality", he reflects.
Created in 2017, SVC stands out for promoting safety on Unicamp campuses, defending human rights and integrating this work into other spheres of the university in an open and transparent manner. “It has been very successful, we are approached by institutions from all over the country who want to know how we work safely”, comments Susana. “Recently, we received the rector of the State University of Ceará himself, we also have contact with experts from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Many want to know our model.”
Other information about the services offered by SVC is available on the website. Escorts around campuses and other services can be requested by calling (19) 3521-6000. The Unicamp Panic Button app is available for download on the App Store, for iOS users, and on the Play Store, for Android users.
Measures adopted after what occurred at the beginning of April:
- Intensification of surveillance and patrols at educational units, which includes the Cotuca and Cotil technical colleges and the Limeira (FCA and FT) and Piracicaba (FOP) units;
- Expanded surveillance, reinforced access control and careful monitoring of entry and exit times at Prodecad/DEdIC and EE Sérgio Pereira Porto, inside the Campinas campus;
- Dissemination of the “Panic Button” application to the entire academic community, in case of need for assistance by security professionals;
- Teachers and staff at teaching units were advised to immediately contact the SVC if they noticed anything out of the ordinary;
- Monitoring social media to anticipate preventive actions.
Watch the rector's message addressed to the university community and society in general:
Watch Professor Susana Durão's lecture at Colégio Técnico de Campinas, on 14/3:
Read more:
For expert, threats in schools hide intention to provoke panic
