Greater Victoria Teachers' Association

The GVTA acknowledges and gives thanks that we live and thrive on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. lək̓ʷəŋən means ‘the place to smoke herring’ and as we continue to learn about the rich history and remarkable stewardship of these Nations, we strive to walk and live respectfully on the land, while helping to reshape an equitable future. We do this by recognizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the document of DRIPA. We do this by listening, creating safe spaces for learning and by educating ourselves. We do this by teaching Canada’s true history and we do this by turning Reconciliation into ReconciliACTION, especially in regards to the ‘Education’ Calls to Action. We do this through love and respect, gratitude and humility. We raise our hands and give thanks to the lək̓ʷəŋən People for their generosity, wisdom, respect, resilience, knowledge and teachings.

This should not be the norm: an examination of teachers' experience with violence in schools

Safe and supported. This is the promise of the school system. Yet sometimes, this promise is unfulfilled.

The Canadian Public Health Association describes the health impacts of violence:

“All forms of violence have damaging short-term and long-term effects on mental,

physical, and spiritual well-being. Living with violence, or in fear of violence, is

clearly in opposition to the fundamental conditions and resources for health.”

Many teachers would describe the prevalence and impact of violence in schools to be at unacceptable levels.

This violence is primarily student-on-student and student-on-staff violence, takes place most often at elementary and middle schools, and is rooted in the failure of our education system to adequately meet student needs.

The impacts of this violence can be mild to severe and are increasingly becoming the norm rather than the exception. The effect is for those classrooms where violence takes place to become incubators of violent behaviours. When young students frequently witness or experience acts of violence, they normalize its occurrence.

The response to violence in schools is currently inadequate.

There is insufficient time and resources for debriefing. Schools do not provide sufficient care and services to those impacted. And the mitigation responses are not effective. As a result, incidents of violence are increasing, rather than decreasing.

This report describes in detail the experiences of teachers in the Greater Victoria School District with violent incidents in their schools. We hope it shines a light on a critical issue.

Download the full report: (report available at 11am)

Page updated

Report abuse