Despite efforts made by the Legault government in recent years, incidents of violence against school support staff are on the rise, as reported by two unions.
A survey conducted among around 6,000 members of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN) reveals that over half of them, 52%, have encountered physical violence.
In comparison, a similar survey conducted by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) in 2022 found the figure to be 37%.
The majority of these attacks are carried out by students, with a smaller number attributed to parents, colleagues, and management, according to the FEESP. The incidents range from physical assaults to verbal abuse, threats, and inappropriate gestures.
The survey highlighted that a significant portion of the respondents were women. Shockingly, over 700 individuals reported receiving death threats, while 247 disclosed instances of inappropriate physical contact, based on the latest survey findings.
This appalling situation has been strongly criticized by Annie Charland, the president of the FEESP, who emphasized that despite the government’s implementation of a School Violence and Bullying Prevention Plan in 2023 and the introduction of a themed awareness week, the situation remains dire.
Charland shared her personal experience of being physically assaulted, verbally abused, and humiliated, emphasizing the detrimental impact on mental well-being.
The survey findings also reveal a concerning trend, with 26% of employees now contemplating leaving their positions, compared to 19% in 2022, according to the INSPQ data.
The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) echoes the FEESP’s alarm, with its president, Éric Gingras, stressing that the escalation of violence within the education sector is a worrying societal issue that demands urgent attention.
Both unions are urging the government to expand labor laws to include the education sector under Bill 101, which would enhance the safety and well-being of all education system employees.
