(Wingham, North Huron) Parents across the region are demanding that the Avon Maitland District School Board finally abandon outdated “zero tolerance” thinking that many say punishes victims while bullies continue unchecked.
Numerous parents have come forward alleging that students at F.E. Madill Secondary School and other area schools are punished when they finally defend themselves after months or years of bullying and harassment.
Critics say teachers and administrators too often ignore ongoing abuse until the victim finally snaps or fights back — then suddenly discipline is enforced.
Ontario officially moved away from “zero tolerance” discipline in 2008, replacing it with “progressive discipline,” which requires schools to consider context, prior bullying, power imbalance, self-defence, disability, and student safety before punishing students.
But many parents say schools still operate under the old:
“Both kids fought, so both kids are guilty.”
mindset.
Community frustration has now reached the grandfather stage — and according to multiple local families, area grandpas are giving blunt advice to their granddaughters:
“If some boy keeps putting his hands on you, kick him in the nuts and end it immediately.”
Many laughed when hearing the advice — but behind the humour is serious anger and fear from families who believe schools are failing to protect vulnerable students before situations escalate.
Parents say children are being taught to:
- stay quiet,
- tolerate abuse,
- avoid defending themselves,
- and “suffer in silence” until the school finally notices.
Buck & Jo’s announced it will offer free ice cream to students suspended or punished after defending themselves from bullies, saying the gesture is meant to support students who feel abandoned by the system.
“Kids should not be conditioned to become silent victims,” one parent said. “Schools are supposed to stop bullying before a child reaches the breaking point.”
Residents are now calling on AMDSB to:
- intervene earlier,
- enforce anti-bullying rules consistently,
- protect vulnerable students,
- and stop treating victims and aggressors as morally equivalent once a victim finally reacts.
Parents say the message to students should not be:
“Take the abuse quietly.”
They say the message should be:
“Report bullying early, stand up for yourself safely, protect others when you can, and never accept being treated as less than human.”