FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Fredericton, New Brunswick, November 28th 2014
On November 28th, the students who participated in the walkout organized by the Fred Youth Feminists were given three to five days of in school suspension and barred from all extra curricular activities for the year as per Policy 703, the exact same policy the group was protesting. Students were asking for a comprehensive sexual assault policy and the abolishment of dress codes from Anglophone School District. Anglophone School District claims that Policy 703 is in place to protect students from all disruptions, including sexual assault.
Many facets of this sanction are detrimental to the well being of the students involved. Potential graduates are being threatened with being excluded from prom and graduation ceremonies unless they “redeem” themselves. Students who need accommodations for their health are being forced to forgo these accommodations in order to participate in an in school suspension. Being barred from extra curricular activities is limiting student’s scholarship and post-graduate opportunities, as well as their chances to develop skill sets.
Alexa Namit, a grade 12 student who is facing these consequences says “To me, the biggest thing is that I have been banned from Safe Space, and as a transgender student at FHS, this is the biggest blow, because Safe Space is exactly what it says on the tin, a safe place for MOGAI youth at FHS, a support program that we are literally entitled to, and taking that away is absurd and crosses the line.”
This only highlights the need for policy changes with a focus on student welfare and the need for the school district to create an avenue for students to be heard. Because this group is concerned with the safety of women, we will continue to advocate for the abolishment of the dress code and the implementation of a comprehensive sexual assault policy.
