Teachers back calls for greater protection from assault and bullying

ASTI members have unanimously backed a call that the Department of Education review its policies so as to ensure that teachers are protected from sexual assault, online harassment and abuse as well as physical assault.

Delegates at the ASTI annual convention unanimously backed a motion that the union demand the department review its policy to ensure protection of teachers under Health and Safety legislation in the light of continuing physical, verbal and online abuse.

Delegate Daniel Howard of the Dublin North West branch said that as an openly gay teacher, he knew what it was to endure homophobic abuse and assault and while he did not bear any physical scars, it did take a psychological toll.

“I’m sure most of you here today know of a teacher who has been subjected to assault whether that be physical, sexual, verbal or online - perhaps some you have been victims of such abuse in your own schools,” he said.

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Mr Howard said he wondered how many victims of such abuse actually reported to school management and he equally wondered how many of those who did report such abuse felt that their complaint was dealt with properly.

“The unfortunate reality is that many teachers, particularly, younger teachers are too afraid to report such abuse as it might affect their getting CID (Contract of Indefinite Duration). From having talked to many teachers on this topic this is all too common a situation.

“The likelihood of having been a victim of assault increases exponentially if you are female or in a minority group such as a person of colour, LGBT, in the Traveller Community or disabled etc,” he said.

Mr Howard received loud applause when he told of one female teacher who had been the target of online sexist abuse by some students but when she approached management , she received “a lukewarm response and a complete unwillingness to do anything about it”.

He said that Ireland was unfortunately an outlier in Europe in not recognising that assault can be non-physical and the department only granted assault leave in the event of a physical assault and the teacher can demonstrate resultant physical damage.

“Assault leave will only be granted if you can demonstrate scars, cuts, bruises, broken limbs and consequently many teachers, suffering from the psychological trauma of having been assaulted in a non-physical way, are forced to use their valuable sick leave.”

‘Absolutely abhorrent’

Mr Howard said that Ireland’s decision to recognise only physical assault as harmful was “absolutely abhorrent” particularly given that an EU Directive which is likely to be enacted within the next two years will require members to recognise “psycho-social harm”.

“Will we be dragged kicking and screaming to recognise such forms of assault or will we take upon our own initiative to implement it? I think this is the least we can offer to those who have been the victims of assault,” he said.

Mr Howard said that schools should have a Health and Safety statement that includes a bullying and harassment policy including measures that protect the school community from abusive behaviour and sets out how management should respond to such behaviour.

“Schools also have a Dignity in Education policy agreed with all education partners and while the aim of this policy is a safe workplace, there is a lack of uniformity as to how complaints by teachers of assault, in particular online harassment, are made.

“Online abuse needs to be tackled immediately in school as it all too pervasive particularly given that we are using more ICT in schools,” said Mr Howard, adding that every citizen was entitled to work in a safe environment free from assault, discrimination and harassment.

ASTI General Secretary, Kieran Christie said all forms of violence towards people either because of their gender or sexual orientation, was “a scourge that must be addressed” and he was especially conscious of this given the union represents a largely feminised profession.

“For our part, we have been pushing the Department of Education for some time to revise and enhance the Assault Leave Circular for Schools to drag it into the modern age and make it fit for purpose.

“We will not relent on this because everyone is entitled to work in a safe environment and when issues arise, victims should be treated with proper care and respect,” said Mr Christie in his address to delegates.

ASTI Deputy General Secretary Diarmaid de Paor said last week the issues of teachers being subjected to physical, sexual or verbal assault or online abuse all fed into a picture emerging from an ASTI survey that well-being and mental health was a growing concern for teachers.

He pointed out that the online survey, conducted by Red C, found that over one third of 2,565 respondents - some 35 per cent - reported that individual staff members have been or are on sick leave due to stress and mental health issues.