School and Parental Responsibility for Bullying

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SCHOOL AND PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR BULLYING
A Guide to Help Bullying Victims Take Legal Action
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Anti-Bullying Legislation in Ontario
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Ontario was the third Canadian province to
implement anti-bullying legislation.
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Ontarios law, the Accepting Schools Act, went
into effect on September 1, 2012.
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The law expanded the definition of bullying to
include psychological, academic or social harm as
well as damage to a victims reputation.
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The law also imposed significant new
responsibilities on schools.
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A Schools Obligation
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The Minister of Education is empowered under
section 8 of the Education Act to require school
boards to implement an anti-racism and
ethno-cultural equality policy.
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School boards must promote the prevention of
bullying.
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Boards must
Establish policies on student discipline
consistent with the Minister of Educations
policies and guidelines.
Develop a bullying prevention and intervention
plan after soliciting the views of members of
the school community.
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Duty to Report
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Part VIXX of the Education Act imposes a duty on
school board officials to report suspected
bullying.
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The principal has a duty to investigate reports
or allegations of bullying and, when practical,
must communicate the results of the
investigation with the faculty member who
initially reported the behaviour.
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Bullying Prevention
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Students engaged in bullying behaviour should
face disciplinary action, up to and including
suspension.
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Principals must provide notice to parents and
guardians of bullying behaviour unless the
student is 18 years old, or the principal
believes notification would put the student at
risk of harm from parents or guardians.
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Legal Liability
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Schools that fail to live up to their obligations
to prevent bullying may be held legally
responsible for the consequences of their breach
of duty to students
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An experienced lawyer should be consulted to
determine if an academic institution or parent
can be held legally liable for injuries or
damages that can be directly linked to the
bullying that occurred.
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OUR LAW FIRM CAN HELP
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Click to visit http//kaganlaw.ca
Or call Toll Free 1 855 734 0007