The Issue at a Glance
%
Increase in youth violent crime from 2022 to 2023
Students report being bullied
%
Increase in student violence reports since 2018
Every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel secure, respected, and supported. When schools, families, and communities work together, we can prevent violence before it starts and build a culture of safety that empowers students to thrive.
As classrooms refill this fall, the Canada Safety Council is focusing National School Safety Week (October 17-23) on a hard reality: more students and staff are reporting violence, both in person and online.
The Facts
Violence in Canadian schools is climbing.
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- National surveys show nearly one in three students report being bullied, the highest rate ever recorded.
- Online harassment is also common, with up to one in four students targeted in just a two-month span, and almost three in ten youth overall saying they’ve faced cyberbullying.
The problem extends beyond bullying, too:
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- Youth violent crime rose 10% in 2023
- Teachers in Ontario say they’re experiencing more, and more severe, incidents at school. Nearly a third report that they’ve been physically assaulted.
- In Toronto alone, violent incidents in schools jumped 67% in five years, while province-wide reports show a 77% increase since 2018.
The Action
School-based violence and online harms are escalating. Parents, educators, and policymakers need coordinated, data-driven strategies that combine strong prevention, rapid reporting, and robust support for students and staff alike.
Bullying and violence can’t be solved by schools or families alone — it takes both working together. Here are four simple but powerful steps parents, caregivers, and educators can take to make a difference:
Make reporting easy
Let kids know exactly who they can go to if they feel unsafe, and encourage schools to provide clear, safe ways to share concerns.
Keep an eye on online life
Set healthy limits on device use at home, talk openly about online behaviour, and remind students to save and share evidence if harassment happens.
Model calm conflict resolution
Show children how to handle disagreements respectfully by cooling down, using clear words, and involving an adult when needed.
Follow through with support
Watch for warning signs, like sudden mood changes, and offer consistent check-ins. Schools and families should work together to ensure victims, bystanders, and even aggressors get help to recover.
By standing together — parents, educators, and communities — we can all play a part in returning schools to the safe spaces they are meant to be and allow every child to feel protected, supported, and free to learn.
For more information, please contact: