Student Advisors suggest peer mediation is appropriate for conflicts such as gossip, rumors, teasing, and relationship issues. They also agree that peer mediation is beneficial for most conflicts that involve fighting or physical violence if disputants are allowed sufficient time for reflection and de-escalation before a peer mediation session. Student Advisors suggest that peer mediation should not be used for conflicts that involve severe bullying, drugs and alcohol, or sexual assault.

CRCSTL has all of our student-led peer mediation program materials open source for schools to easily access and use as needed. We partner with schools directly for implementation and training, but we also have a guide for schools starting their own program that is available for download here. We will continue to add program materials to this website as we build out our pilot project.

Peer mediators learn how to conduct a mediation through learning the steps of the mediation process. Parties agree to mediate, Each party tells their story, peer mediators identify interest and needs, peer mediators work on a win-win solution, parties evaluate options, parties create and sign the agreement. Most peer mediation sessions are conducted with two mediators in what is called a co-mediation model. Peer mediators guide the process, but the parties in conflict decide what is written in the mediated agreement.

At CRCSTL, we believe that mediation at its core is about empowering individuals and equipping disputants with the tools they need to resolve conflict creatively and reach meaningful, equitable solutions. Student-led peer mediation offers not only an opportunity to empower students that are in conflict with one another to seek peaceful solutions, but to equip peer mediators with the tools of meaningful active listening, empathetic problem solving. Students learn that naming the conflict and reframing and summarizing what they hear from disputants to talk through future oriented solutions can be an incredibly empowering process for all parties involved. Through learning mediation skills, youth learn about the importance of viewing conflict as normal and healthy if they are empowered with the skills and tools to navigate it. Learning basic conflict resolution skills can have vital logitutudanl benefits for students for the rest of their lives, throughout their career and even teaches students that mediation and alternative dispute resolution can be a viable career path. Our hope is that this program gives students additional skills to be leaders for peace in their school communities and beyond.