New regional ombudswoman addresses sexual misconduct complaints

By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

Complaints of sexual misconduct in elementary and high schools in the region will be treated “with the highest priority,” regional student ombudswoman for Estrie and Chaudière-Appalaches Caroline Audette has said.

Audette said her office has received five such complaints since she took office in August. Details surrounding the complaints, such as where the alleged incidents occurred and whether they concerned misconduct by a student or staff member, weren’t available due to confidentiality concerns. “Each complaint [of sexual violence] is one too many,” she said.

Audette took office at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year after the entry into force of Bill 9, which created a provincewide school ombuds office, headed by Jean-François Bernier, and 17 regional ombuds offices. Ombudsmen and ombudswomen are now appointed by Education Minister Bernard Drainville on the advice of a selection committee; before Bill 9, they were appointed by school boards and service centres. Their duties remain the same – when a parent or student believes a school has failed to provide adequate services, they can lodge a complaint with the ombudsman, who will first determine whether the complaint files within their remit, then listen to both sides and recommend solutions. Parents and students can also approach the ombuds office for information and referral requests. Audette said her office had received 91 information or referral requests and processed 34 formal complaints since August. Many complaints involved intervention plans for students with disabilities or concerns around the class a child was placed in.

Filing a complaint with the ombuds office is a three-step process. Normally, Audette explained, “if a parent or student thinks their right [to an education] is not being respected, they speak directly with the teacher concerned or with the principal. They have ten days to address the situation. If the parent is unsatisfied with the resolution or if the deadline has passed, they can speak with the complaints manager of the school board, school service centre or individual private school, who has 15 days to resolve the situation. In turn, if the deadline has passed or if the parent is unsatisfied, they can come to us, and we have 20 to 35 days to resolve the situation.”

In certain cases – such as allegations of sexual violence, situations where the parties have a conflict of interest or time-sensitive files – the complainant can address the ombuds office directly, without going through the school board. If a complaint involves allegations of sexual violence, provincial child protection authorities are also informed. The complainant may be followed by a social worker or given other kinds of support – “the measures needed for [the complainant] to feel safe at school.”

Once the complaint arrives at Audette’s office, she says she verifies whether it’s in her remit before taking the time to speak with all involved parties and request relevant documentation. “I come to a conclusion [as to whether] the rights of the student were respected, if there were errors or shortcomings. If there are, I have the power of recommendation.” Her recommendations are sent to the complainant and the school, which has 10 days to accept or reject the recommendations and ensure follow-up. “I make recommendations, not demands…but it doesn’t look good if the recommendations aren’t accepted,” she said.

Audette said complaints could be filed in French or English and her office would ensure that complainants received support in the language of their choice.