The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, and the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, today announced $200,000 for the Department of Education to offer an online training program to Grade 7 to 12 teachers, guidance counsellors, and school administrators to address sexual violence.
Ministers Parsons and Howell will be available to the media today (Thursday, May 23) at 11:30 a.m. to discuss the training. The availability will take place in the East Block lobby of Confederation Building.
The program, titled Commit to Kids, is conducted by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and will cover the problem of sexual abuse, the grooming process, how to disclose child sexual abuse, the impact of abuse, and how to help safeguard children.
Commit to Kids is approved by the Ontario College of Teachers and is also supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association. Following the initial training sessions, it is anticipated the program will be expanded to include all teachers and school staff.
Funding for this initiative is being provided under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, a four-year bilateral agreement the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has signed with Women and Gender Equality Canada, resulting in $13.6 million in new funding to invest in violence prevention-related initiatives throughout the province.
Quotes
“Empowering our educators is key to safeguarding our children’s well-being. By providing funding for the Commit to Kids program, we are equipping educators throughout the province with the tools and training needed to effectively identify and address sexual violence, ultimately fostering a safer environment for all.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
“Education is a critical component to addressing and preventing violence of all kinds. The Commit to Kids program is a resource that will help educators recognize the signs of sexual violence and will provide them with resources to support students who may be experiencing or have experienced sexual violence. Our government will continue to provide training opportunities to educators that will support the safety and well-being of students.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
“Everyone has the right to live free from violence, whatever their gender, their age, or their background. The funding through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is supporting programs in Newfoundland and Labrador like Commit to Kids, which is doing crucial work to help students and teachers empower youth and build a safer Canada for everyone but most importantly our children.”
Honourable Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
“The safety and well-being of students and protecting them from harm goes to the core of what NLTA members do every day. Commit to Kids is a reputable program, and I am pleased that more teachers will have access to this important professional learning. Knowing the warning signs and how best to respond is critical, for prevention and so that school staff can help to ensure young people experiencing sexual violence are able to access the necessary supports through child protection, law enforcement and health care.”
Trent Langdon
President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association
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Learn more
National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence
Office of Women and Gender Equality
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