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Ontario schools grapple with escalating workplace violence, report finds

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May 22, 2025 Statistics and Trends, Work hazards, Vulnerable Workers
Ontario’s publicly funded schools are under serious strain, yet another report reveals the trending and disturbing rise in violence.

Violence is often narrowly viewed as overt physical aggression, but in schools, it also includes structural neglect, psychological harm, and emotional abuse—forms that are less visible but just as damaging. Violence isn't a new issue, but it's worsening to the point where educators are unable to do their jobs safely, and both staff and students are at risk. The evidence is clear and consistent: the problem is growing, and it demands urgent attention. It shouldn’t be deemed as just a part of the job. So concludes a recent report released by the University of Ottawa and entitled: Running on Fumes: Violence, Austerity, and Institutional Neglect in Ontario Schools.

“Violence from the perspective of the broader community is viewed as minimal because it is ‘children’, ‘part of the job’, or ‘not a big deal’. My safety concerns are simply dismissed because I am financially compensated and have a few weeks off at a desirable time of the year.” – Classroom Teacher, Grade 6

The report is based on survey data collected in late 2023 from over 5,700 education sector workers across Ontario. The survey focused on their experiences with, responses to, and the impact of workplace violence and harassment. Respondents included not only teachers but also direct student support workers—such as early childhood educators, educational assistants, and child and youth workers—as well as indirect support staff, including custodians, clerical workers, and bus drivers.

“This job used to be about teaching. Now it’s about survival.” – Elementary teacher

REGISTER FOR TRAINING TO HELP PREVENT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

Report highlights and findings:


1. Widespread workplace violence
Violence is a daily reality for education workers. In 2022–2023, 80 per cent experienced at least one incident involving physical force, an attempt, or a threat—most often from students. Alarmingly, 84 per cent witnessed student-on-staff violence directed at their colleagues.

2. Escalating incidents
Violence in schools is not only persistent—it’s getting worse. For instance, the percentage of elementary teachers experiencing violence rose from 62 per cent in 2017–2018 to 95 per cent in 2022–2023. This trend signals a growing crisis, not isolated events.

3. Harassment on multiple fronts
Nearly 9 in 10 education workers (88 per cent) reported harassment, often from students (77per cent), but also increasingly from parents (47 per cent), particularly affecting teachers and clerical staff. Verbal abuse, disrespect, and mocking behavior are common forms.

4. Barriers to reporting
Though 72 per cent faced incidents serious enough to report, many chose not to. Reasons include lack of time, belief that nothing would change, or even active discouragement from administrators—highlighting a culture of silence and inaction.

5. Institutional failings
Existing safety measures—like behavior plans, safety plans and PPE—are often ineffective or inconsistently applied. Many students face no real consequences for violent or harassing actions, leaving staff unsupported and vulnerable.

6. Toll on workers
The physical and emotional toll is severe. Workers report declining health, stress, burnout and an increased toxic work environment. More than half (56 per cent) said they would leave the profession if a comparable job were available—raising serious concerns about retention and sector stability.

7. Harm to students
Violence doesn’t just affect staff—it disrupts and diminishes learning and damages student well-being. Kids who witness violence report anxiety, fear, and begin to believe such behavior as normal, harming long-term outcomes.

8. Underlying causes
As the demands on Ontario’s public education system grow, funding continues to fall behind. This underinvestment is showing by way of —packed classrooms, fewer support staff, stretched resources, reduced access to health and social services, and long waits for student assessments. These are the very conditions that fuel rising levels of violence in schools.

9. Disproportionate impact
Women, racialized staff, 2SLGBTQIA+ workers, and those with mental health challenges face significantly higher rates of violence and harassment. Because of their overlapping identities, they’re also more likely to face pushback or punishment from the system when they try to speak out.

“It is always unnerving to see my co-workers physically assaulted. It leaves you with a heightened sense of insecurity at work being in a constant state of high alert.” – Early Childhood Educator, K-6

What’s next…systemic change needed

Recommendations derived from the lived experiences and insights of educators and support staff to mitigate violence and create safer schools, include:
  • Increased education funding
  • Smaller class sizes
  • More support staff and mental health professionals
  • Stronger protections and accountability measures.

These echo the many recommendations from previous studies and reports that advocate for the right to safe workplaces, including those published by the Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

Enforceable Duties

Meantime, under Ontario’s Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers must do more than just write workplace violence and harassment policies—they're legally required to implement them, train staff, and keep programs up to date with annual reviews.

Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) offers comprehensive, instructor-led training on Workplace Violence and Harassment, ideal for developing or reviewing and strengthening workplace-specific policies and programs. Additional WHSC courses cover critical incidents, PTSD, psychosocial hazards, and workplace mental health. Training is delivered in real time—online, in-class, or onsite for larger groups and is always instructor-led no matter the mode of delivery. For a limited time WHSC is offering workplace violence and harassment and workplace mental health training at a discounted rate of $40 per course (regularly $75) for courses booked by May 31, including future training throughout the summer.

REGISTER FOR TRAINING TO HELP PREVENT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

Related readings and resources
Running on Fumes: Violence, Austerity, and Institutional Neglect in Ontario Schools
Growing violence in schools – disturbing reality, study finds (OSSTF)
Workplace violence solutions for schools central to recent ETFO symposium
Violence, harassment in elementary schools at crisis levels: report
Workplace violence growing in education sector, study finds
Principles sound the alarm about students’ mental health
WHSC Workplace Violence Resources

Need more information?
Contact a WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit: whsc.on.ca
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