TCDSB Policy Register  

Violence Prevention Policy
ASSAULT/THREATS/HARASSMENT V.P.08  

Policy: 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board does not tolerate assault, threats, harassment or abuse against TCDSB personnel or TCDSB students. Verbal or written threats, racial/ethnocultural harassment, physical and/or sexual harassment, or abuse perpetrated by anyone in the school, whether intentional or unintentional, is condemned as unacceptable. 

The Toronto Catholic District School Board supports efforts designed to protect the welfare of staff and students. In dealing with matters of alleged assault, threats, harassment or abuse, the dignity and rights of all are to be preserved and respected as participating members of a Catholic Community. This community must be characterized by a safe and harmonious working environment in which the needs and well-being of every individual is paramount. 

Regulations: 

1.         Definitions: 

The Board adopts the following definitions based on the provisions of the Criminal Code and the Human Rights Code:  

(a)        Definition of Assault  

(i)          any intentional use of force against another person without their consent;

(ii)          any attempted or threatened use of force;

(iii)         accosting or impeding another person while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or imitation thereof.  

(b)         Definition of Harassment  

Harassment is any vexatious behaviour that threatens, intimidates, demeans, humiliates, or embarrasses a person or a group, and that a reasonable person should have known would be unwelcome. It includes actions, comments, or displays. It normally involves a course of conduct but a single act of a serious nature may constitute harassment. 

2.          Violent Incidents 

All incidents of a serious violent nature are to be reported to the police and recorded on a Violent Incident Form  The regulations herein may be superseded depending upon the seriousness of the violation and, where warranted, could ultimately lead to expulsion.  

3.          Verbal Assault/Threat/Harassment  

Where an alleged verbal assault, threat or harassment upon a staff member or student occurs, the following actions shall take place:  

(a)         where the victim or perpetrator is a student, the parent/guardian must be contacted if the student is under eighteen years of age;

(b)        depending upon the severity of the circumstances, the police may be called;   

(c)        where the perpetrator is a student, suspension may occur depending upon the severity of the circumstances of the incident;

(d)         counselling services may be provided as deemed appropriate.  

4.          Assault Upon Staff  

Where an alleged assault upon a staff member occurs, the following actions shall take place:  

(a)         the staff member and the alleged assailant shall be separated as quickly and safely as possible;

(b)        the principal shall advise the staff member to seek medical attention if appropriate and provide emotional and moral support to the staff member;

(c)        the principal or designate will conduct an immediate investigation into the alleged assault and if warranted, contact the police;

(d)        the principal shall immediately inform the appropriate supervisory officer that an alleged assault has taken place;

(e)         the principal shall advise the staff member to obtain Federation or Union assistance if needed;

(f)          if the alleged offender is a student under the age of 18, the parent/guardian must be contacted and the police may be called and the police may lay charges;

(g)         consider removal of the student from the class of any teacher(s) that the student is alleged to have assaulted;  

(h)         in the event that an alleged assault has been committed by a person not enrolled in the school or employed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the principal shall attempt to determine the alleged offender's identity and report this to the police who may lay charges under the Trespass to Property Act and/or the Criminal Code;

(i)           the staff member will be made aware of resources available for follow-up assistance;

(j)          in the case of an unaided assault (no weapon involved), the recommended minimum length of suspension of a student offender is seven days unless there are mitigating circumstances.

(k)         in the cases of an aided assault (weapon involved), the recommended minimum length of suspension of a student offender is seven days unless there are mitigating circumstances.  

5.          Assault Upon a Student  

Where an alleged assault upon a student occurs, the following actions shall take place:  

(a)         the student and the alleged assailant shall be separated as quickly and safely as possible;

(b)         the principal shall arrange for medical assistance if appropriate, provide emotional and moral support to the student and contact the parent/guardian where the student is under 18 years of age;

(c)         the student who is a victim of an assault will be made aware of resources available for follow-up assistance;  

(d)         the principal or designate will conduct an immediate investigation into the alleged assault and if warranted contact the police;

(e)         if the alleged offender is a Toronto Catholic District School Board student under the age of 18, the parent/guardian must be contacted and the police may be called and the police may lay charges;

(f)          the principal shall immediately inform the supervisory officer that an alleged assault has taken place;

(g)         if the alleged offender is a staff member and there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an assault has taken place, the principal shall report to the Catholic Children's Aid Society if the student is under 16 and to the police if the student is over 16 years as per provision in the Child Abuse Handbook;

(h)         the principal shall advise the staff member who is alleged to have committed the assault of the allegation and of the action taken by the principal as per provision in the Child Abuse Handbook;

(i)          the principal shall advise the staff member to contact the Federation or Union for advice and assistance;

(j)          in the event that an alleged assault has been committed by a person not enrolled in the school, or employed by Toronto Catholic District School Board, the principal shall attempt to determine the alleged offender's identity and report this to the police and the police may lay charges using the Trespass to Property Act and/or the Criminal Code;  

(k)        in the case of an unaided assault (no weapon involved), the recommended minimum length of suspension for a student offender is three days unless there are mitigating circumstances;

(l)          in the case of an aided assault (weapon involved), the recommended minimum length of suspension for a student offender is seven days unless there are mitigating circumstances.