Ei-iE

Violence and harassment

The different forms of violence and harassment in and around educational institutions pose serious threats to the well-being of teachers and education support personnel, particularly among marginalised and vulnerable groups. The increasing incidence of targeted attacks and aggressive behaviour directed at educators contributes to elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional distress. These psychological impacts can significantly impair mental health and professional performance. Furthermore, the physical consequences of violent incidents, ranging from injuries to chronic stress-related conditions, can also compromise physical health.

The Teacher Wellbeing Index 2020 reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the mental health of UK education staff, leading to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. The report highlights the challenges of transitioning to online teaching, managing pupil behavior, and dealing with personal safety concerns. Despite some improvements in workplace culture and organizational support, the overall wellbeing of education staff remains a critical issue, requiring urgent action to enhance working conditions and support systems to address these pandemic-related challenges effectively.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2020

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

The reportoutlines a nationwide effort to confront the growing impact of trauma on students and educators. Sparked by a leadership meeting in 2019, the report captures insights from a convening of 39 state affiliates, aiming to understand current approaches, build a shared framework, and recommend actionable steps. It emphasizes the complexity of trauma’s root causes and highlights strategies such as educator training, legislative advocacy, and community partnerships.

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Publisher: National Education Association (NEA) National Council of State Education Associations
Country: United States of America
Year of publication: 2019

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Mental health Safety Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Union representatives
Specific communities: Ethnic minorities
Resource type: Downloadable file

The document focuses on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in and around educational settings, particularly in Africa. It draws on the experience of nine EI member organisations in seven African countries committed to combatting SRGBV in their contexts. The first section focuses on actions these unions have taken internally to adapt decision making structures, update policies and deploy resources to empower their members to act. The second section looks at how education unions have reached out to other stakeholders (legislators, ministries, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, parents, media and learners) to pursue coordinated strategies for change.

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Publisher: Gender at Work Education International (EI) United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI)
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Africa
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English French Spanish, Castilian
Resource type: Downloadable file

The charter outlines key principles and strategies to promote mental wellbeing among school and college staff. It emphasizes the importance of creating a safe workplace, providing support from colleagues and managers, ensuring fair and equal treatment, establishing clear procedures and roles, allowing personal and social time, and conducting stress risk assessments. The charter aims to integrate mental health considerations into the culture, organization, and management of educational institutions.

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Publisher: National Education Union (NEU)
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Mental health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders Researchers
Resource type: Downloadable file

The guide on the causes and signs of stress at work provides comprehensive guidance on identifying and managing work-related stress. It outlines six main areas that can lead to stress if not properly managed: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change. It highlights specific pressures faced by teachers, such as excessive workload, poor pupil behavior, and lack of career progression. Also, it describes the signs of stress in colleagues and emphasizes the importance of conducting stress risk assessments and treating work-related stress as a collective issue.

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Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Peer relationships Violence and harassment Working conditions Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

The interview explores the challenges and recognition of education support personnel, highlighting differences between France and Quebec. Key issues include professional recognition, working conditions, and the role of unions in advocating for these personnel. The interview underscores the importance of acknowledging the diverse roles and contributions of ESP in the educational system.

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Publisher: Education and Solidarity Network (ESN)
Country: Canada France
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Physical health Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: French
Categories of staff: Education support personnel
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2019 paints a concerning portrait of the emotional toll faced by the UK education workforce. Highlighted are elevated stress levels, particularly among senior leaders, widespread symptoms like insomnia, irritability, and mental health concerns, and alarming patterns of presenteeism. Excessive workload, poor work–life balance, and student behavioral challenges emerge as key contributors. Yet, resilience remains evident among many professionals, while gaps persist in access to and confidence in seeking support.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2019

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Teacher Wellbeing Index – 2018 reveals a widespread mental health crisis in the UK education sector, with high stress and poor work-life balance affecting both teachers and senior leaders. The report highlights concerning levels of presenteeism, emotional strain, and reluctance to seek help, all driven by heavy workloads, lack of support, and rising behavioral challenges. It calls for systemic cultural change to protect and prioritize staff wellbeing.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2018

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

This article is part of a compilation of case studies that detail promising practices in teacher well‑being, teacher management, and school leadership. The Education Staff Health Survey – 2017, the inaugural report in what would become an annual series, presents a comprehensive picture of the mental health and well‑being of education professionals across the UK. Based on responses from 1,250 staff covering schools, further education, and higher education, it finds that three‑quarters encounter work‑related physical, psychological, or behavioral symptoms, with many reporting persistent stress, disrupted work–life balance, and even presenteeism. The survey reveals that half have considered leaving the sector due to health pressures, while many suffer from insomnia, irritability, and poor performance as a result of their workload.

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Publisher: Education Support
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2017

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Leadership Mental health Peer relationships Physical health Respect Violence and harassment Workload
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel School leaders
Level of education: Early childhood education Primary education Secondary education
Resource type: Downloadable file

Le billet de blog met en lumière l'impact significatif de la violence sur la santé mentale, en particulier pour les femmes et les enfants. Il souligne que, bien que les deux sexes subissent des violences, les femmes en sont victimes à des taux plus élevés, ce qui entraîne des défis de santé mentale à long terme. Le billet discute également du rôle des enseignant·e·s dans le soutien aux élèves affectés par la violence et de la nécessité de meilleures ressources en santé mentale dans les écoles.

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Publisher: Canadian Teachers' Federation/Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants (CTF/FCE)
Country: Canada
Year of publication: 2016

Region: North America and the Caribbean
Topics: Safety Violence and harassment Women’s psychological and physical health
Available in: English French
Categories of staff: Teachers
Resource type: Web page

This is a policy model of health and wellbeing that member organisations can use as a reference to elaborate their own policy instruments on these topics. It outlines the responsibilities of the Board of Governors and school leaders in promoting positive mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing among staff. It also emphasizes the importance of a supportive work environment, regular communication, and consultation with staff and unions. The policy model includes various procedures and policies on topícs such as stress management, attendance and absence management, and health and safety, aiming to create a healthy workplace culture.

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Publisher: NASUWT - The Teachers' Union
Country: United Kingdom
Year of publication: 2016

Region: Europe
Topics: Cross-cutting resource Mental health Violence and harassment
Available in: English
Categories of staff: Teachers Education support personnel
Resource type: Downloadable file

Ei-iE

Violence and harassment

Showing 41 Resources Filtered by:

Teacher wellbeing index - 2020

Addressing the epidemic of trauma in schools

Strategies to end school-related gender-based violence: The experience of education unions in Africa

Mental health charter

Causes and signs of stress at work

School support staff: Education includes them too

Teacher wellbeing index - 2019

Teacher wellbeing index - 2018

Health survey - 2017

On mental health through a gender lens

Health and wellbeing policy: A model for teacher unions