In the past few days, we have learned heartbreaking stories of children who have been sexually abused. I’m referring to this primary school teacher1 and to this special educator2.
I need to share with you my thoughts on the comments of Roberto Colavecchio, student ombudsman at the Pointe-de-l’Île school service center (CSSPI), following what I learned in the article by Marie-Eve Morasse3. The commissioner’s lack of self-questioning, as well as his certainty of the effectiveness of his complaints handling system, leave me totally stunned.
“These cases were not brought to my attention…”, maintains the student’s protector, who adds that he has never even heard of a single case of sexual violence during all his years in this role. However, he asserts that the CSSPI’s complaint handling system is “one of the most efficient”.
I would reply to you, Mr Colavecchio, that, according to my expertise, your system is totally unrealistic, outdated and completely disconnected from reality. In this article, it is mentioned that if a child is sexually assaulted by his teacher, he should first complain to his teacher directly, then make a complaint to the management of his school and to the school service center, before complaining. have the chance to address his complaint to you! This clearly demonstrates your lack of knowledge on the subject of sexual assault and all the courage it can take for a victim to reveal the situation and face their attacker again. I understand at this time that you said that this kind of complaint did not arrive on your desk.
For a child to decide to reveal the violence he is experiencing, he must first realize that what he is experiencing is not normal. He must then choose a caring trusted adult who will believe him. Are all the winning conditions put in place by your actions and decisions? Allow me to strongly doubt it.
You will tell me that this child will be accompanied by his parents, but imagine if they do not believe him or are simply not able to understand all the administrative procedures. You really need to realize as soon as possible that if you haven’t heard of a single case of sexual violence in 12 years, it’s certainly not because your complaints system is effective.
Comments by Éric Morissette, professor in the administration and foundations of education department at the Université de Montréal3, also appeal to me when he mentions that he would like more advanced training to be offered to students and teachers. I completely agree with him and would like to inform him that this is exactly what I have been doing for my job for over 12 years! I work for ESPACE Suroît, an organization whose mission is to prevent all forms of violence against children. Member of the Regroupement des organizations ESPACE du Québec, we offer the ESPACE program in the elementary schools of our region. Eight other organizations are doing the same thing in other regions of Quebec. Our program enables children to know that they have rights, to identify the different forms of violence and the manipulation tactics of the aggressors and to learn how to react and stay safe. Unfortunately, too many children are still victims of violence. Yet children should feel safe at school. We must take action now to better protect all children in Quebec.