A Quebec teachers’ union unveiled results from a recent member survey indicating that 90% reported experiencing some form of violence while on the job. Catherine Renaud, a vice-president of the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), emphasized the importance of a violence-free work environment for educators during a press conference. The union urged Education Minister Sonia LeBel to collaborate on urgently addressing these prevalent issues.
The survey revealed that 81% of teachers faced psychological or verbal abuse, 63% encountered physical violence, and nearly 11% reported incidents of sexual violence. Notably, physical violence was most prevalent in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten levels, with high percentages of teachers reporting being hit, injured, or pushed.
Renaud highlighted a concerning testimonial where a preschool student exhibited violent behavior towards a teacher during a tantrum. The union expressed the need for additional specialized support staff to assist students with disruptive behavior or integration difficulties, emphasizing the impact of such incidents on teachers’ mental and physical well-being.
In response to the survey findings, Renaud noted that many teachers are contemplating leaving the profession due to stress, decreased self-esteem, burnout, and other related issues. The union conducted the survey with input from over 2,443 teachers in April and May 2025. While online surveys lack a margin of error due to non-random sampling, the union’s findings shed light on the pressing issue of violence in educational settings.