Statement on the conclusion of the criminal investigation on the use of holds and isolation spaces at Jack Hulland Elementary School

June 13, 2024

Annette King, the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate has issued the following statement on the conclusion of the criminal investigation on the use of holds and isolation spaces at Jack Hulland Elementary School:

“Through the connections we have formed with the victims and their families, we understand the significance and impact of this announcement. It has been an extremely challenging experience for many of those involved in the investigation, which began in November 2021.

“Accountability takes many forms. When a child is harmed, there are several parallel processes that can occur. The class action lawsuit, which was publicly announced in 2022, is ongoing.  The role of the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office is to promote children’s rights at a Yukon government departmental level. We have and will continue to recommend a collaborative response between Yukon government departments.

“We have observed an improvement in how the Department of Education responds to allegations of harm by educators. With the guidance of the Safer Schools Action Plan and the recommendations from our office, we have seen several recent examples of appropriate responses to harm including the implementation of risk assessments and safety planning, timely communication with families, and tangible actions to ensure children are safe at school.

“Safety in school continues to be an area where we receive many referrals, and we continue to work with the Department of Education to address these issues, both individually and systemically.

"The completion of the criminal process helps to inform our next steps for the systemic Review of Physical Restraints and Confinement at Jack Hulland Elementary School. We remain highly concerned about the numerous child rights violations, and we will continue to work with victims and families to address the lasting impacts of the harm.”

The Child & Youth Advocate Office is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly. The operations of the office are guided by the Child and Youth Advocate Act. Children, youth or others concerned about a child or youth receiving services within Yukon Government can contact the Child and Youth Advocate Office at (867) 456-5575.