P.E.I. Public Schools Branch asks for public input on new sexual misconduct policy
CBC
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is seeking input from Islanders into its efforts to strengthen safety in the province's school system, which includes a new sexual misconduct policy.
PSB director Tracy Beaulieu said in a news release that the new policy “will help provide clearer expectations, training on early identification, and consistent response procedures.”
The release included a link to the draft sexual misconduct policy, along with a questionnaire that allows people to provide feedback anonymously.
Kelly Morris, manager of policy and planning with the Public Schools Branch, said the draft policy is based on research and work that's been done in other provinces and territories.
“Now we want to hear from everyone else," Morris told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.
"That's what's going to create such a strong document and policy for sexual misconduct in the school system.”
Morris said the schools branch has already received a lot of feedback on the policy since the questionnaire was initially released to parents.
The survey will be available until Feb 2.
“We want to hear anything and everything. If you're questioning why something is written the way it is, then we want to hear that because others will be too," Morris said.
"There's no feedback that's too big, too small. It will not offend us. We really want to hear from everyone.”
The development of the policy is a response to a ministerial directive issued in October that requires P.E.I.'s French and English school boards to revamp policies around educational staff employment, including regular criminal record and vulnerable sector checks.
Education Minister Robin Croucher issued the directive after former substitute teacher Matthew Alan Craswell pleaded guilty in April to sexually touching an elementary school student in a classroom. Craswell has also been charged with one count of sexual interference, which is the sexual touching of a person under the age of 16, in connection with another alleged incident at a second Island school.
Morris said the new draft policy includes areas that previously had not been identified, like grooming and boundary violations.
A timeline for a final draft hasn't been set yet, Morris said, but there is hope to have it done by the end of February. She said work is already being done on a communication plan and training.
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