Assaults on Teachers

Introduction

Assaults against teachers do not happen very often. However, when they occur the impact on the individual teacher or teachers can be quite profound.

Circular 40/97 emphasises the necessity to create and maintain a culture where acts of violence are not tolerated and where incidents when they do occur are effectively and speedily dealt with.

Creating such a climate requires the cooperation of the whole community. However, where in a minority of cases parents do not abide by the agreed procedures the circular offers little practical assistance in how to proceed.

Circular 40/97 focuses on:

• The board's duty to provide a safe place of work for employees
• Measures to be taken to prevent or minimise the risk of assaults to teachers or other staff employed in schools
• Measures to be taken in support of staff who have been assaulted or threatened with assault; and ensuring that appropriate action is taken to safeguard against a recurrence.