VOLUME 31, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2022 PAGE 8
Community
The Rise in the Sexual Assault Cases: A Concerning Trend By: Nitya Kharidehal
I
n the past year, there has been a sudden influx of sexual harassment cases across school boards. Or rather, victims have been more willing to report a case. This is a courageous move on the victims’ part, sharing their stories and helping bring justice to themselves and others. However, their efforts have been largely dismissed by school boards, such as the PDSB. Recently, there have been several protests and complaints regarding the school board’s treatment of sexual assault cases, and rightfully so. Several schools have mistreated the victims, often asking for proof of assault. Instead of working towards creating a safer space for their students, schools have been focused on brushing the cases under the rug. This approach sets a dangerous and concerning precedent for the future. Aside from their homes, schools are the places students spend most time in. Therefore, it is imperative that students feel safe and comfortable in this setting. To do so, schools could offer services to support victims. For instance, conducting a support group where victims can share their experiences could help them cope with their emotions and trauma. However, this is not only limited to sexual assault victims. The general public could also benefit from some education on sexual assault, and how they can help stop it. It is ex-
tremely important to show victims that they are not alone. Awareness and education is a great first step, as it shows the gravity behind it. Schools can also create infographics and conduct meetings to discuss sexual assault. In terms of academics, the curriculum could include material about sexual assault in the health course. As this course focuses on biological and sexual health, including it here ensures every student will learn about it. The protests surrounding this issue have gained a lot of traction, both on social media and otherwise. Students are outraged at the blatant display of ignorance by the authorities. The sudden negative attention has, of course, pushed the PDSB to apologize and promise to take action regarding the same. The PDSB has contacted students from various schools, such as the Applewood Heights Secondary School, for their input. As far as their promises go, any major action is yet to be seen. Gioia Squillacioti, a student and activist from AHSS said, “There have been meetings between the board and students, but the implementation of our suggestions is minimal.” According to Gioia, who works with a group of students to educate the board, these students have helped create a website that is available on the BYOD page. While this is a good start, she hopes the PDSB improves further.
Photo: Romana Siddiqui
A huge part of helping students is knowing what not to do. When a case is reported, it is peoples’ responsibility to ensure they are saying and doing the right things. Listening patiently is one of the key things to follow. Rushing things or showing disinterest can discourage the victim from speaking up, which is much more harmful. Staff and students should concentrate on conducting meetings and being respectful.
Some schools have started to conduct school-wide assemblies to address the issue, which opens up room for discussion. Most importantly, schools should prioritize starting a conversation about consent, and how they can help support the victims. A fairer system and a just investigation is a necessity in every school. Students have also recommended some resources to help with these situations. Aside from the website on
BYOD, looking at documents provided by the government was also suggested to recognize and learn more about sexual assault. Contacting a mental health service or helpline (such as Here 24/7) can also help students cope with their emotions. Seeking professional help, if available, is also always a good option. Until drastic events take place, students are under the impression that their school is well equipped to
deal with these issues. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case in the PDSB so far. This issue is one of great importance, and we can only hope the PDSB pays more attention to it. In the meanwhile, we must continue educating ourselves and supporting the victims around us.
Photo: City of Brampton
