Shocked by recent episodes of sexual violence in the school network, the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge, ensures that everything is done to “undo” the culture of silence surrounding this kind of crime in schools. A real “change of mentality” is underway, he says, but it will still take time to fully take effect.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Teachers who cannot express themselves, pupils called upon to be silent: the people surveyed by The Press in cases of sexual crimes in schools, in recent months, have often confided in not being able to express themselves freely, or even being called outright not to do so.
In an interview, the Minister acknowledges: “there is this perception” in certain establishments that it is necessary to be silent. “But we are in the process of undoing it. I am not someone who prevents people from expressing themselves, on the contrary. Speech must be released. The notion of reporting was enshrined in law for the first time. And we have specifically indicated that people who make reports are protected from all forms of reprisals, ”he says, in reference to Law 9 adopted this spring.
This law, which creates a National Student Protector, also makes it possible to “very clearly sanction” a person who would retaliate against a teacher wanting to raise a problem. “That’s what I wanted from the start. There was like a kind of culture that had been there for too long. That said, it takes some time to change, when people have been living in a culture for 20 years where you shouldn’t talk too much, not identify too much,” reiterates Mr. Roberge.
“To improve the system, it is absolutely necessary that the people who are in the classrooms, in the network, can suggest improvements. […] We are going to a empowerment bigger and bigger by the people who are on the ground,” he adds.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
The Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge, in interview with The Press
“It lifts my heart”
Two cases of sexual violence in schools have particularly marked the news this year. The most recent concerns the filing of about twenty charges against a 27-year-old teacher, Dominic Blanchette, for various crimes of a sexual nature, causing a shock wave at Adélard-Desrosiers school, in Montreal North.
Every time a case comes out, it picks me up personally. I taught for 17 years, so I know the vulnerability of young people. It is so important to build a healthy relationship with these young people. To see that some use it in the worst way, it breaks my heart.
The Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge
The second was revealed to the general public in February, at Saint-Laurent school, after three basketball coaches at the establishment, Daniel Lacasse, Robert Luu and Charles-Xavier Boislard, were charged with sex crimes.
On Tuesday, an investigation report from the Ministry of Education also concluded that the dignity of several athletes had been “compromised” during their time at this school. The report also notes a “particularly low level of organizational trust” in the school. The Press had also reported that a “super harmful” climate, marked by verbal aggression and intimidation, reigned within the women’s basketball program.
Minister Roberge said he was very satisfied with the work of the investigations division in the file. “Having been heard will undoubtedly help to restore confidence and repair this school team which needs to find itself and look forward with more confidence,” he said.
He argues that with Bill 9, coaches and employees involved in extracurricular activities will have to abide by the same rules as teachers. “Whether you are a basketball teacher or coach, the supervision is the same, and therefore the protection for the students is the same. And that’s brand new,” he said. These employees will now have to have their criminal records checked and undergo training. “They can therefore be the subject of complaints and be sanctioned,” he says.
“Let the change live”
In the coming months, the minister calls for “letting the change live” that he believes Bill 9 will bring about. “We will first have to measure it. And if we have to go further, we will go there. I do not exclude anything, “he assures, considering for example “tightening certain bolts” if necessary, or even “making another law on the side”.
“We will have to see the nature of the complaints, the number of complaints, the response of private schools and school service centers. Will parents and students be satisfied? When we have that, we will see, ”he concludes, recalling that the new law will not be fully applied until September 2023.