SD73 releases sexual misconduct task force recommendations

The task force examined district policies, protocols and practices and included representatives from partner agencies such as the RCMP, Ministry of Children and Family Development, parents and others.

It resulted in a 12-page report released at tonight’s Board of Education’s public meeting including the following seven recommendations:

Promoting and/or creating reporting tools to ensure those who may be impacted have the means to seek out the supports they require;
Informing the parent(s) of the policies, procedures and processes that will be used when responding to an issue of sexual misconduct, including the process a parent can follow to provide feedback, issue a complaint or request an appeal;
Providing ongoing learning opportunities, starting at the elementary school level, to educate students about healthy relationships as well as measures they can take to report incidents or seek support;
Defining what constitutes sexual misconduct in schools;
Developing policies and procedures that specifically address sexual misconduct;
Revisiting District policies that contemplate violence, harassment, bullying, intimidation and other forms of discrimination to include the definition of sexual misconduct in both intent and implementation; and,
Reviewing response protocols to ensure that all District staff working with children know how to receive complaints in a way that respects the rights and needs of those known to be impacted.

Sidow noted she is “extremely satisfied” with the work of the task force and said the recommendations will help improve the experiences of students on many fronts. The work on developing an implementation plan and schedule will be formally developed through the summer.

“I was deeply disturbed when these issues arose,” Sidow said. “The district’s intention is always to provide a safe, productive learning space for all our students and staff, and it was clear that some did not believe this was the case. I am confident these recommendations will guide us so that the district can better ensure students have positive school experiences.”

She added the task force’s work showed that overall, SD73 schools do a good job of providing positive, safe environments for students though Sidow believes the recommendations will help the district address issues that arise within our schools from our society at large.

You can read the full report at www.sd73.bc.ca.

by Greg Fry

SD73 releases sexual misconduct task force recommendations

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