The system is failing our children. As a parent, the thought of a seven-year-old being beaten at school and then being told not to defend themselves is a nightmare come true. Unfortunately, this is not a hypothetical scenario. It is happening in a Toronto school right now, where a principal is practicing zero tolerance for self-defense and near-limitless tolerance for assault.
The family of a seven-year-old boy has been enduring a traumatic experience since January at a school in west-end Toronto. On January 23, their son was chased and thrown to the ground by another child, who then punched him four times in the back of the head and threatened him with more violence. The attacks continued over the next few weeks, with the boy being sworn at, kicked, and hit in the face and stomach.
The boy never retaliated, but he now feels unsafe and dreads recess, the part of the day that should be his favorite. The school board's response has been to provide reassurance and manage the concerned parents, while the aggressor is given "progressive discipline," which includes understanding, context, and infinite second chances. Meanwhile, the boy's mother was told that if he ever defended himself, he would face zero tolerance.
This is not a single case of bullying, but rather a pattern of behavior by one child who is repeatedly targeting and harming others. The school board is failing to meet the needs of this child and keep others safe. There is a deeper discomfort beneath all this, as Canada has no "castle law" and our instinct is to scrutinize the person who fought back as harshly as the one who attacked.
The time for excuses is over. The school and the board have the time to develop a proper solution before the end of the school year. These children, including the victims and the assailant, deserve better than a system that fails to keep them safe.
The fact that a child is learning that defending themselves can lead to punishment is a disturbing lesson. The school board should be held accountable for keeping a child safe, and it is not enough to say that they are "doing their best." The parents of these children deserve better, and it is up to the school board to take action.
