The European RESCCUE project, promoted by the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, held its final event in Cornellà with a day dedicated to safe spaces for children and adolescents
The Castell de Cornellà de Llobregat hosted the closing event of the European project RESCCUE - Recover Spaces for Traumatized Children in Community Settings, an international initiative focused on preventing cyberviolence and creating safe spaces in schools, homes, and communities.
A day to share knowledge and results
The day began at 08:45 a.m. with registration and an institutional opening by Ms. Joana Piñero, Deputy Mayor for Social Policies, Equality and Health of the Cornellà de Llobregat City Council; Dr. Montse Dolz, Head of the Psychiatry Service at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital; and Ms. Emilia Briones, Deputy Mayor for Presidency and Security of the Cornellà City Council.
Throughout the morning, round tables were held with experts in education, mental health, and child protection:
- Safe spaces in classrooms: the game of cyberviolence, with Dr. Montse Guitert (UOC) and psychologist Adrià Ruiz, moderated by Dr. Teresa Romeu (UOC).
- Safe spaces at home: support for children and adults, where Dr. Noemí Pereda (UB) presented a national study on family violence from the adolescent perspective, and Dr. Mar Álvarez, child and adolescent psychiatrist, shared the work carried out as project coordinator.
- A session was also held on the international transferability of the RESCCUE model, with professionals from the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, a project partner in Italy.
The event concluded with a speech by Dr. Fernando Lacasa, former Director of the Community Mental Health Area at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital and researcher at the IRSJD Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Group.
RESCCUE: a community response to cyberviolence
The RESCCUE project, co-funded by the European Union, aimed to prevent the effects of trauma and cyberviolence on children and adolescents. Led by the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation as the main coordinator, it developed tools and methodologies to promote protective environments and secure bonds, in collaboration with organizations from Catalonia, Italy, and Greece.
During its implementation, the project generated training resources, community actions, and awareness proposals aimed at families, schools, and professionals.
Safe Spaces cycles: local and international impact
The SAFE SPACES cycles were carried out in five public high schools in Cornellà de Llobregat, where the following were delivered:
- 44 workshops on Self-esteem and reconnection (974 students)
- 43 workshops on Cyberviolence (988 students)
- 5 workshops on Self-care to support others (114 education professionals)
- 4 workshops on Bonding (54 education professionals)
In parallel, the Creating Safe Spaces to Prevent Violence at Home cycles were conducted by the CSMIJ of Cornellà in various municipal centers (Joan N. García Nieto Cultural Center, Cornellà Central Library, Sanfeliu-Sant Ildefons Youth Club, and Esplai la Gavina). Two editions were held (first and second school term), each with eight sessions, involving six groups of families with preadolescents and adolescents. 72 family members attended one or more sessions, and 49 maintained regular participation.
From the same CSMIJ, a specific intervention was also carried out with 10 high-risk patients.
Internationally, the transferability of the actions was tested in Italy, involving two high schools. 26 workshops were delivered (180 students, 28 teachers), 8 sessions were held with 20 families, and 34 high-risk patients were treated.
An educational game as the project's legacy
One of the most innovative outcomes of the project was the development of a Print & Play educational game, designed to foster dialogue, empathy, and reflection among adolescents about risk situations in digital and family environments. The game was presented during the event and is available for free download via a QR code shared in the project materials.
More information about the RESCCUE project
Student workshop: Loving yourself to reconnect
Student workshop: My role in cyberviolence (GAME)
Teacher workshop: Taking care of yourself to support others
Teacher workshop: Bonding, the key to a safe space
The RESCCUE project, co-funded by the European Union, aimed to prevent the effects of trauma and cyberviolence on children and adolescents.