CAN Syndrome in Schools: Perspective of Grammar School Students on Recognizing and Describing the Behaviors of Their Current and Former Classmates Affected by CAN Syndrome

The aim of this thesis is to increase the awareness of grammar school and secondary school students about the issue of CAN syndrome (Child Abuse and Neglect) and to contribute to prevention and early identification of child maltreatment. The thesis is divided into a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical section introduces the definition and classification of CAN syndrome, forms of abuse, their manifestations and impact on children, as well as the role of schools and teachers in prevention and intervention. The practical part is based on a questionnaire survey conducted among 240 addressed students, of whom 89 completed the questionnaire (response rate 37%). The results show that 72.7% of respondents had never encountered the term CAN, while only 27.3% had heard of it. The topic had not been discussed at school according to 80.9% of the students; however, a significant majority (93.3%) believed it should be included in school education. Regarding personal experience, 43.8% of students reported meeting a peer who might have been a victim of some form of CAN. The most frequently observed indicators were sadness and anxiety (20.1%), social withdrawal (11.4%), and difficulties with concentration (10.7%). Knowledge of how to seek help varied-69.3% stated they would know whom to contact, most...