I am acting on the school's request of changing the petition as my present actions contravene the School and District Code of Conduct. Therefore, I must be kept at home until all changes in the petition are made. At the high school I attend, Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary school there was a protest about how the school dealt with a heavy situation, sexual assault allegations. In the case that triggered the protest, the accuser wasn’t heard until she protested. The accuser had to go to these lengths to feel safe in school. No one should have to go to such lengths to feel safe. Schools should better the environment by creating a policy that neither discriminates against either student or makes the accuser feel pressured. Both should feel heard in this situation. A good start to this would be removing any students with criminal charges from school grounds while keeping close contact with them until the situation is resolved and then move forward with RCMP protocol after charges are either placed or dismissed. In cases where charges are laid the students must remain in online school to ensure safety for all students in schools. I would also like to address the fact that adults who will never have to walk in the shoes of students get the final say on topics and policies like these. I feel as though we as students know what is best for us, what will help us feel safe and protected. We should play a part in the final vote and/or say in creating policies. Not only will it allow us to get to say our thoughts on the education system but it will teach us more about the government system and how democracy works. Along with allowing us to feel heard and protected in the school system. 

To the schools and the districts please hear us and stand with us, not against us, support us. If you would like more information on the protest I would recommend looking at these links for more information on the situation to make a good judgment: (https://www.castanet.net/news/West-Kelowna/360036/Student-protest-at-Mount-Boucherie-Senior-Secondary-over-sexual-assault-allegations castanet article including video, Madison Erhardt) (https://www.sexassault.ca/statistics.htm sexual assault statistics, sexualassault.ca) 

If you feel this petition represents how you feel please make sure to sign it so we can go to the school boards and attempt to make a change!!