Despite the actions taken by the Legault government in recent years, violence against school support staff continues to increase, according to two unions.

A survey of some 6,000 members of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN) suggests that 52 per cent of them have experienced physical violence.

In 2022, the figure was 37 per cent, according to a similar survey by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ).

The attacks are primarily perpetrated by students, but also, to a lesser extent, by parents, colleagues, and members of management, according to the FEESP.

In addition to attacks with objects, the union deplores shouting, foul language, death threats, and sexual gestures.

It points out that the vast majority of respondents to the survey are women. More than 700 people have reportedly received death threats, and 247 have had their private parts touched, according to this latest survey.

This situation is completely unacceptable, denounced Annie Charland, president of the FEESP (French Federation of Schools), in an interview.

She acknowledges that the Legault government rolled out a School Violence and Bullying Prevention Plan in 2023 and introduced a thematic week this year.

A protocol aimed at standardizing practices in violence prevention and intervention was also introduced.

However, “it doesn’t change much,” Charland said, adding that she herself has been beaten, spat on, and called names.

“Being told, ‘You’re ugly, you’re innocent,’ is one thing. But being told that every day becomes psychologically difficult,” she explained.

Of the approximately 6,000 employees who responded to the survey, 26 per cent are now considering leaving their jobs. The figure obtained in 2022 by the INSPQ was 19 per cent.

The FEESP’s observation that the situation is worsening is shared by the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ). Its president, Éric Gingras, is sounding the alarm.

“Regardless of the job category, whether support staff, professionals, or teachers, all internal figures are increasing,” he said in an interview.

“Everyone now thinks it’s serious, that we need to address it. However, the problem we have is that it’s going beyond the school walls. It’s a societal problem,” he added.

In the short term, the unions are asking the government to include the education sector in its Bill 101, An Act to improve certain labour laws.

This would increase occupational health and safety protection for all employees in the education system, they argue.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews