NORTH BATTLEFORD — As the Government of Saskatchewan returns to the Legislative Assembly early to pass a controversial parental bill of rights using the notwithstanding clause, some organizations that were providing sexual violence education within schools are calling into question an aspect of the Ministry of Education's recent policy changes.
Alongside the Parental Inclusion and Consent Policy to be implemented in Saskatchewan schools, school boards were also called to, "immediately pause involvement with any third-party organization, such as ARC Foundation and the SOGI 1 2 3 Program, connected to sexual health education as the ministry undertakes review of educational resources to ensure alignment with curriculum outcomes," said an announcement from the Ministry of Education on Aug. 22.
"Only teachers, not outside third parties, will be able to present sexual health education materials in the classroom."
Now, Battlefords Area Sexual Assault Centre is worried that this will negatively affect youth in the Battlefords as they are no longer allowed in the classroom to provide necessary prevention education to help protect children.
"With very little clarity or direction and very vague language in this policy it has impacted organizations that do not deliver sexual health specific information but simply all organizations that provide information on anything direct or indirectly related to sex or gender," says a statement from BASAC's Executive Director, Amber Stewart.
"While we at BASAC see the value in sexual health education being taught by experts in the field with fact-based information and provided in a safe environment at age-appropriate levels, we do not believe that our organization should have been lumped into this category."
BASAC noted that over their 40 years in the Battlefords, they've been fighting to raise awareness around sexualized violence while helping support survivors of sexual violence. Over the last number of years, they also say they've maintained a strong focus on prevention education as they establish themselves as experts in the community.
"For BASAC, the choice to add sexual assault centres to the third-party umbrella has put the work we have been focused on in jeopardy."
BASAC's statement noted that during the 2022-2023 school year sexual violence prevention education programs were delivered to 3051 students in 14 different schools located in The Battlefords & surrounding area.
"Children and youth having tools to understand sexual abuse, consent, body safety, etc. lowered the risk of those same children and youth becoming victims of abuse."
The statement added that Saskatchewan has the highest rates of Interpersonal violence of all of the Canadian provinces, at twice the national average. In addition, Saskatchewan’s rate of sexual assault is one of the highest in Canada, with a rate of 104 sexual assaults per 100,000 persons.
"The statistics show that one in three girls and one in six boys will become a victim of sexualized violence and that children ages 7-13 are the most vulnerable to child sexual abuse.
"Educating children and youth on the topics of consent, body safety and sexual abuse enables them to have a voice and reach out to a trusted adult if they are being abused, taking away the education is taking away that voice," Stewart said.
BASAC noted that their presentations are child-friendly and have always aligned with the Saskatchewan health curriculum, in addition, they ensure that parents are made aware that they are working in the classroom and provide contact information if they have any questions or concerns and encourage them to reach out to the organization.
The organization added that since the announcement of this policy, many teachers and parents in the Battlefords have reached out, expressing their concerns and questions about why BASAC is not allowed to continue delivering these programs in schools across the Battlefords.
"We are calling on the Provincial Government and the Minster of Education to allow sexual assault centres in the province to resume their prevention education programs in school divisions across the province," Stewart said.
"The safety and well-being of all children, youth, and future generations of adults is at stake, and we must act now."
