Implementation of the LOPIVI and the Role of the Well-Being and Protection Coordinator

Institutional Framework and Transformation of School Protection

The entry into force of the national regulatory framework dedicated to the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents has substantially transformed the management of coexistence within educational communities.

This legal framework goes beyond the punitive or purely welfare-based approaches of the past, establishing a systematic preventive approach that prioritizes the eradication of any form of violence, abuse, or school bullying.

Under this legislative framework, educational institutions assume direct responsibility for ensuring completely safe learning environments, free from risks to the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of minor students.

The regulations establish that the comprehensive protection of students is not an abstract principle, but a daily operational imperative that requires a restructuring of the organizational culture of academic institutions.

Consequently, the prevention of bullying becomes a cross-cutting priority that shapes the administrative, instructional, and disciplinary operations of the entire school.

Duty to Report and Early Detection of Violence

One of the most important pillars of this safeguarding framework lies in the formalization of a general duty of early warning for school staff.

The law establishes the legal and inescapable obligation of any educational professional—whether teaching or administrative—to immediately report to the competent authorities any indication, suspicion, or disclosure of sexual harassment or abuse involving a minor.

This provision categorically eliminates institutional discretion or silence in the face of complex situations, preventing cases from being downplayed internally as mere interpersonal disagreements.

Early detection relies on training teachers to recognize subtle signs of vulnerability, such as changes in academic performance, social isolation, or emotional distress.

In this way, the regulation safeguards victims by activating emergency protocols that prioritize the protection of the child over any bureaucratic or reputational considerations of the school itself.

The Role of the Well-being and Protection Coordinator

To put these safeguards into practice, the regulations require the mandatory appointment of a Well-being and Protection Coordinator at every educational institution.

This individual serves as the backbone of the safeguarding system within the academic environment, centralizing oversight of protocols for responding to violence.

Key responsibilities include designing prevention plans, facilitating training activities on respectful treatment and consent, and confidentially managing internal communications or complaints.

Furthermore, this professional serves as a direct liaison between the school, students’ families, and health, judicial, or social service agencies.

The implementation of this role ensures a professional, unified, and prom pt