There are only four weeks left in the parliamentary calendar in Quebec to study the bills. Despite everything, the government has ample time to add mechanisms that will better protect students who are victims of sexual violence, said Québec solidaire MP Christine Labrie.
In a letter he sent her last week, he urged House leader Simon Jolin-Barrette to consider his proposal: a bill to prevent sexual violence in schools. Christine Labrie filed it a few months ago, but the government did not accept it.
In the recent arrest of three youths for sex crimes at a high school in Chateauguay, allegations of assault against a 15-year-old teenager in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and the sacrifice of cases against three Saint-Laurent secondary school basketball coaches, the MNA believes the context obliges the government to reconsider its bill.
Student victims are told all sorts of unrelated matters by school officials or management. They are given bad advice, told not to talk about it, let it go, or told about civil cases.he moaned.
On his legislative side, he proposes to force all schools, from elementary to those specializing in vocational training, to adopt a policy to combat sexual violence as is in place in cegeps and universities. . Some elementary and secondary schools themselves have developed such a policy, but, according to Ms. Labrie, there is no obligation to do so and there are no parameters on which to base it to implement it.
He believes the policy should include not only a protocol for filing complaints, but also training and awareness for school staff and students.
Too small, but not too late
Christine Labrie feels the government is open to look into the matter because it has amended another bill, which is currently being studied in a parliamentary committee, to that effect. Bill 9, which redefines the role of the student ombudsman, was recently sent by the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge.
The latter wants to give the defender “added power” in terms of preventing and combating sexual violence. For example, instead of filing a complaint with the school administration, victims can go directly to the regional student ombudsman, who is neutral and independent.
Other changes provide better protection against retaliation and liability regarding the processing of complaints. The student ombudsman must also follow each school’s anti-bullying and anti-violence plan.
Since Minister Roberge has proposed about thirty changes to strengthen assistance to victims, he requested the cooperation of opposition parties: We’ll make sure we pass the bill as soon as possible and, depending on the weather, we’ll see if we can call bill 394 [de Mme Labrie]. The important thing is to review the complaint handling process, as it is really necessary to have an independent and trustworthy stakeholder to receive complaints.
The need for a framework law
Christine Labrie argues that a framework law is more appropriate. Nothing is planned for the training of people working in the school environment or for the student’s own advocate. There will also be no awareness and avoidance. This is a whole part that is missing.
He considers that training adapted and specific to sexual violence is necessary. In my opinion, it is possible to ratify it before the end of the legislature. I’ve seen that here: we pass bills very quickly when there’s consensus.
If the government does not take advantage of the opportunity now, he fears that the election campaign and the installation of the new government will delay aid for the victims by several months.
Source: Radio-Canada
