workshop reports

What We Learned in Montreal

The Quebec chapter of CCLOW and the Centre for Literacy co-sponsored a workshop in Montreal that was designed to provide information for educators and community workers about violence as a barrier to learning and to explore potential strategies which can be carried back to the workplace.

Participants looked at issues such as how violence inhibits women's learning in formal and informal settings; how it prevents access to education; and how it is related to drop-out rates, literacy gaps, erratic study or work patterns, and to career and personal life choices.

During discussion of a case study about the relationship between the ability to learn and violence, participants made the following observations:

• A safe environment creates a learning environment.

• Everyone needs to become familiar with the signs of abuse.

• We need to explore alternative teaching methods.

• Teachers are required, by law, to report suspected cases of abuse.

• The responsibility to address violence rests most heavily upon the teacher.

• Teachers need training and re-training about the effects of violence on education and the ability to learn.

• We need systems in place to assist people in violent situations that interfere with their education.

• There are not enough resources available for educators or for women seeking an education.

• A situation should not be in crisis to finally warrant proper attention.

• Physiological damage from physical abuse needs to be considered when looking at learning disabilities.

During another discussion, groups looked at other aspects of the links between violence and learning and made suggestions about how to address some of these issues. Comments included:

• There should be anti-violence campaigns in schools, workplaces, etc., as there are none now.