Violence and harassment in Canadian schools have reached such crisis levels that these public institutions should be categorized as hazardous workplaces, says a national report led by researchers at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
The report – Canadian Schools: A Hazardous Workplace – surveyed 4,000 education workers and summarized the findings from a national report in which both direct and indirect support staff reported on the frequency and impact of incidents of harassment and violence during the 2022–2023 school year.
The reported violence and harassment were overwhelmingly student-initiated, particularly toward direct student support staff and indirect workers. High rates of violence and harassment were also seen from parents, colleagues, and administrators.
"Education workers are being routinely exposed to levels of violence and psychological harm that equal those experienced by first responders," said lead author Dr. Darcy Santor, professor of psychology at uOttawa. "Yet, unlike first responders, they often lack adequate protections, training, and access to mental health supports."
Dr. Santor's key findings include:
- 78% of education sector workers experienced at least one act, attempt or threat of physical violence.
- 84% experienced some 30 incidents of harassment per year on average.
- 26% reported PTSD-like symptoms
- Nearly 80% said workplace violence harmed their mental health.
One respondent said: "A colleague had her head struck against the wall by a student. She has experienced a traumatic brain injury. The impact it has had on me is a general, constant sense of fear for myself and others. I am always thinking about how I approach students, and I am always in fight or flight mode."
The report found the workplace environment has gotten to a point where over 50 percent of respondents said they are ready to leave the profession if they could find comparable employment. Many said the stress followed them home, affecting their families, sleep, and overall quality of life, while others cited their experiences with violence and harassment as reasons for leaving the profession.
The report also documents widespread under-reporting of incidents and a lack of effective institutional responses, with fewer than one in five workers indicating that safety plans were consistently implemented following violent incidents.
The research team outlined recommendations, including improving and expanding how hazards are identified, more consistent and effective safety planning and reporting, and enhanced mental health supports.
