Students across Canada are demanding consent education, resources to combat sexual violence in schools
Categories: US Education News
Students across Canada are taking it into their own hands to address sexual violence in secondary schools, an issue youth say remains prevalent and still, despite multiple calls and walkouts, not adequately addressed.Ibbotson is part of a student-led network in Canada organizing a nationwide campaign to end sexual violence in secondary schools. High School Too, a project started by the Consent Action Team at Ryerson University, has since evolved into a combination of efforts from both post-secondary and high school students across the nation.According to a 2021 study from the University of Calgary, one in three Canadian youth in Grade 9 and Grade 10 who had dated experienced adolescent dating violence in Canada. Additionally, Statistics Canada reported in 2014 that 47 per cent of all self-reported sexual assault incidents were committed against women aged 15 to 24. It has resulted in many student-led walkouts across the country, with youth drawing attention to the lack of policies, education and protocols on consent and sexual violence within those institutions.Last week, members of High School Too presented ten recommended actions for meaningful change for school boards and all levels of government.For school boards, the organization is demanding for institutions to implement: a stand-alone sexual violence and sexual harassment policy at every board in Canada; implement updated dress code policies and protocols to ensure learning environments are equitable, shame-free, welcoming and inclusive; create a student-led consent committee at every school board and mandate each school collaborates with local gender-based violence organizations. 19-year-old Sofia Alda of Toronto also talks about why safe spaces are necessary to confront sexual violence. “At times when students do feel safe enough to tell somebody, especially if they’re like a peer or a parent, the person’s not necessarily prepared on how to answer it and how to respond,” she said.For Ibbotson, mandating consent and harassment education is important because students often don’t know what giving consent looks like or what sexual harassment is, and how often it happens.She points to examples of friends who have received unsolicited text messages, emphasizing people need to learn and many kids don’t even know that they’re being sexually harassed. “We have a right to learn, to feel safe and supported as well. Then we’ll have resources on how to deal with these situations and how to become survivors rather than just victims and feel silenced,” said Ibbotson.Kaitlyn Demeria, a 15-year-old high school student from B.C., highlights the importance of a consent awareness week after reflecting on how her own consent education ended in Grade 10 and only lasted for two class blocks.When it comes to messages the message they hope to get across to other students, Ibbotson emphasizes it’s important for youth to know they are not alone and they all have a voice to create change.