Allegations of sexual assault at schools need more attention, says a new women's network set up to address the issue.
The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women (PANSOW) is adding its voice to the issue in a call for action.
RELATED:
'Male youth facing three charges of sexual assault in western Newfoundland'
'Summations made in second of three sexual assault teen trials in Stephenville'
During the last school year, there were allegations of sexual assault involving students at a school in Stephenville and, this year, of a sexual assault involving students on a school bus in another west coast community.
“I think that there’s a real tendency to hope that this is not happening and to shy away from it,” said Paula Sheppard Thibeau, network member and executive director of the Corner Brook Status of Women Council.
However, she said it does happen there needs to be a bar of excellence set in terms of the care provided for those who impacted.
In a press release issued Friday, the network said it believes that a holistic and trauma-informed approach is needed that addresses the need for safety during transportation to and from school, during school and while involved in extracurricular school activities.
The group said this requires changes in policy and practice that address the physical and psychological safety needs of students and staff.
When the allegations in Stephenville came to light last year, changes were made to the Schools Act to give the director of education the authority to refuse to admit a student on school property where the presence of the student is detrimental to the physical or mental well-being of students or staff. It was then that it was said that other polices were coming.
Sheppard Thibeau said the network has been trying to engage with the Department of Education around making curriculum changes but haven’t felt like there’s been a lot of movement on that front.
With the latest allegations of a sexual assault of a young child by a teenager on a school bus, Sheppard Thibeau said the group felt it was necessary to speak out.
The group, like others who have spoken out, suggest the use of bus monitors, paid or volunteer, to assist with supervision or having cameras installed on buses.
The group has sent its concerns to the department of Education.
