6 years of child sexual assault... 6 years of abuse, threats, tears, loneliness, fear, confusion, and I never spoke up once. Why? Because I was never taught that I’d have to protect my own body, even as a child. I was never taught what sexual abuse was, or that someone I trusted could harm me in this way. Instead, I was taught that strangers were dangerous, never to accept candy from others, and to keep an eye out for kidnappers. In high school, we learned about intercourse, childbirth, and how to practice safe sex by using a condom or birth control methods; however, no one spoke about sexual assault. Was this not important to cover? Why didn’t anyone talk about sexual assault? Why didn’t anyone make us feel comfortable to come forward? 

As an adult now, I often wonder… what if teachers spoke about sexual assault… what if they taught us at a young age on: 1) what it was, 2) the difference between a safe touch vs. an unsafe touch, 3) how and who to protect ourselves from, 4) how to keep our bodies safe? 5) how to speak up about an assault, 6) what to do if we think someone is misusing us, 7) what to do if someone does not believe us… aren’t these critical topics to be educated on in case we come across them in our lives? Or to grow up being reminded of this dangerous offence and how not to be a bystander. 

Children are even more vulnerable to sexual assault as they are unaware of what it is. Due to this fact, perpetrators can easily manipulate the situation and make a child believe that what is happening to them is a fun game or their “little” secret. Remember, perpetrators are everywhere, even within our own families. 

There are also a majority of individuals who hide the perpetrator within their families, forcing the victim to keep quiet or forget what happened to them. As we grow up, the words “they asked for it,” “they shouldn’t have dressed like that,” or “people will shame you” are often used. The surrounding community is so quick to judge the victim or shut down their voice due to pride or questions about what others would think; generations have not changed, these reasons and more have continuously forced the victim to suffer in silence. 

This is why discussing topics such as who to tell or what to do if someone does not believe you are crucial, preparing a student for all the possibilities they may face. The more we conversate about sexual assault, the safer space we create for survivors to share their pain and speak up.  

SO, here’s what we want

We want the government and Educational Ministries of Canada to: 

1.     Implement new mandatory Sexual Assault Awareness lessons tailored to different age groups within all Canadian schools (with students aged 3-18) 

2.     Create a short mandatory Child Sexual Assault Awareness certificate for all teachers and educational staff to possess, designed to educate staff on child protection, warning signs, how to handle a sexual assault report, etc. 

3.     Create a step-by-step guide for educational schools to follow if a student has been sexually assaulted 

4.     Enforce Schools to educate parents/guardians on the awareness of sexual assault and how to protect their child through assemblies and conferences

Perpetrators continue to sexually assault a child or individual because they are confident, they will never get caught. If children are aware that these actions are wrong and are educated about sexual assault, they are more likely to speak up and come forward during the time of the assault(s). The taboo surrounding sexual assault needs to be broken. We want everyone to speak up so much about this that perpetrators begin to fear even touching or sexually involving themselves with a child/individual ever again.

The number of children and individuals currently getting sexually assaulted and the number of survivors who are still suffering in silence is only growing. Sexual Assault creates a lifetime of pain. We need your support to act now. 

 

To the Government of Canada: 

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to introduce the education and awareness of Child Sexual Assault and Sexual Assault in the educational systems of schools with students aged 3-18 across Canada by 1) Creating a new Child Sexual Assault Awareness certificate for teachers and educational staff 2) Directing the educational ministry across Canada to implement new mandatory Sexual Assault Awareness lessons tailored to different age groups 3) Create a step by step guide for educational schools to follow if a student has been sexually assaulted 4) Enforce Schools to educate parents/guardians of the awareness of sexual assault and how to protect their child, through assemblies and conferences. 

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP? 

Firstly, we’d like to thank you very much for reading and participating in our petition. We would appreciate your support if you could kindly sign this petition and share the link with others you know on social media. Help spread the word; let’s make change together!