Trying to remove violence does not create a safe environment

Removing students from the violent home

The Ontario Child and Family Services Act states that "If a person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, the person must promptly report the suspicion and the information upon which it is based to a children's aid society." This seems straightforward: children need to be protected from violent adults. Any adult who suspects a child is experiencing violence must report this. But students repeatedly told me that they were not asked what was wrong and that asking was essential. One student was particularly eager that I make sure that teachers understand the importance of such careful questioning, as she was adamant that this was the most important thing that could have been done to support her learning:

I think that people in the schools, if you see a kid in that kind of situation...like the way I was, missing school and that stuff-if the child doesn't answer you, then you should at least ask them "Do you need food? Do you need any bus tickets?" Start off like that. That could make them tell you something, I'm telling you... When I was going through my grade school, I just had them buy me stuff... clothes and stuff, but no one specifically asked me "Natalie, what's wrong at your house?" Which they should have... Of course I would have said something, because I would have believed that they wanted to help me. That's what teachers need to do, I'm telling you. You have to sit down, and-even if they don't say nothing. You could ask them specifically, straight up, "okay do you have a problem at home?" If they say no, you ask them why are they missing school. If they still say nothing, then ask them what they need... I think counsellors should ask these kids, because I'm telling you, it's important. Believe me, they'll learn more, they'll do something, if somebody else will pay attention. If somebody else pays attention to them, they'll learn better.

Like, if somebody had paid attention to me, in school... I don't think that teachers should just think "Okay, their parents are supposed to do that for them." You can't be so ignorant, sometimes at home that's what they're getting, ignorance. So they're thinking at least if they go to school, if somebody's more open with them and more helpful towards them, trust me, it's a lot better for that person to do something with their life.