Punched, spat on, kicked bitten & sexually assaulted

Figures show 3200 shocking incidents in Ayrshire schools | Union claims staff are leaving shifts showing signs of trauma

- MARK MCGIVERN

SCHOOL support staff in Scotland are enduring shocking levels of violence from pupils in what has been described as a "national emergency".

Some-including janitors, catering workers and admin assistants - have reported being kicked, punched, spat on, bitten, head-butted and sexually assaulted at work.

The GMB union has uncovered chilling data via freedom of information, which shows attacks on non-teaching staff are out of control.

The latest figures - backed up by the GMB's staff survey results show 3200 incidents of violence or threatening behaviour last year against school staff in Ayrshire alone.

Last night, one union offical said: "These figures are shocking but sadly no longer surprising" Latest findings echo the situation revealed in the Daily Record Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which has shown the appalling reality of violence against teachers and pupils in schools and the alleged failure of the Scottish Government to do anything about it.

Fol figures show school staff in Borders Council reported 1012 incidents of violence or abuse while 844 were recorded in West Dunbartonshire and 718 in Stirling.

In response to the crisis, GMB Scotland is launching a new campaign allowing school staff to report violence immediately.