Restraint and seclusion are being used repeatedly and systemically on students in British Columbia’s public schools, Inclusion BC and the Family Support Institute report. These practices, along with other disturbing incidents and patterns of conduct, are detailed in a report issued on November 21, 2013.

“Stop Hurting Kids: Restraint and Seclusion in BC Schools” includes data collected from an online survey of approximately 200 parents and guardians of children who had been restrained or secluded in British Columbia schools.  The report was officially launched with a panel discussion on Friday, November 22 at Douglas College in New Westminster. Since that time, several families have stepped forward to tell their disturbing stories and an unprecedented amount of media attention occurred in the days and weeks following the release of the report.

Inclusion BC and the Family Support Institute are working with the Ministry of Education on the development of guidelines for all schools to use in developing policies. We are also calling for an independent review of practices throughout all school districts in BC.

More information can be found on the Inclusion BC website here.