Sex education necessary in school for youth safety
There's so much going on with Saskatchewan education lately, a lot of people wouldn't understand this picture. Like, what circumstance in the modern age would lead me to paint a sign about sex education for my 9-year-old daughter to hold in front of a Civic Centre at 7pm on the school break? This wasn't on my 2023/24 parenting bingo card! 🤪
But as of this year, the government has made some dangerous changes to the health curriculum. And tonight, I drove her to a class that used to (and should still) exist in school.
Did you know, parents can now opt their child out of all sex education? Yes, all. And maybe you know that third party organizations aren't allowed in schools. But did you know, that includes the Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre curriculum on sexual violence prevention?
1 in 6 boys under 18 will be the victim of sexual abuse. 1 in 3 girls. 💔 This is happening in OUR CITY. And it's proven that information is the key to prevention. ✊️
The SSAIC grade 4 I'm the Boss of Me program focuses on nomenclature, body autonomy, and consent. It was covered over several classes at school... until this year. When the Saskatchewan Party axed it, SSAIC scrambled to put a community class together. But that means, *they are not reaching every child*. Not even close.
This critical, proactive information is not reaching kids whose parents' literacy might have prevented them from seeking out & registering for the sessions. Whose parents have schedules that don't allow a night driving across the city to a class. Whose parents think that sheltering their child is prevention. Worst case, it's not reaching kids whose parent might be their abuser.
Every child deserves to be armed with information about their bodies & their rights. Ignorance is the opposite of protection.
I know we’ve been on MLAs about education for other reasons lately, but ADD THIS to your email subject line. And come next election, don’t sleep thinking it’ll be a clean sweep. Take action. My DMs prove that the vocal, supportive folks in my comment section sadly don’t speak for everyone.
Maygen
