Alberta Premier Rachel Notley emphasizes consent in sexual education
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/05/01
In efforts throughout Canada to combat sexual misconduct and sexual violence in intimate relations, on campuses, at work, and so on, the country’s leaders are working on various methods.
One is consent in sexual education. In the province of Alberta, one emphasized method is consent. Then the various nuances around consent.
Notley said, “We’ll be looking at some work at all grade levels. How do we talk about consent as early as kindergarten and moving all the way through to Grade 12? … We need everybody to learn what consent is and how fundamental it is to relationships between people. They need to learn that at a very young age and be comfortable talking about it.”
David Eggen, the education minister in Alberta, explained consent is a part of the ongoing curriculum review. That consent is in some schools and not others.
Eggen notes a consistent approach is necessary. He said, “The safety of our children is paramount. It’s very important to have boundaries that students know about, (and) being able to say no.”
The earlier education, Eggen states, emphasizes permission and personal space. Notley proclaimed May sexual violence awareness month.
Officials from 10 government ministries and community organizations will work to combat sexual violence. The work will build on previous efforts.
These efforts are spearheaded by Stephanie McLean’s Status of Women Ministry. One effort among others will be the work on how the police will respond to sexual assault offences.
Seven grants will be funding organizations addressing sexual violence. New rules will be laid out regarding sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Alberta “made legislative changes to allow sexual violence survivors more latitude in filing civil claims and in getting out of leases without penalty.”
$8.1 million (CAD) will go to helping police with more counselling support. This will hep courts too.
Rural and Indigenous Alberta residents have long wait lists for supports and counseling. The same may be true for these services rolling out too.
Estimates note sexual assault as the highest under-reported crime in Canada. 1 in 20 victims come forward to report.
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