Did you know!?

One of the goals we hope to achieve with the new policy is making it more accessible to teens.  We believe that in order to protect our youth in the community from sexual exploitation from people seeking to take advantage of them, they themselves must be aware of the policy.  This awareness is essential so that teens understand what consent means and what their rights are to be able to consent to sexual activity, and to refuse it. This awareness would also promote knowledge of sexual exploitation, issues of power and authority, and questions surrounding their right to consent or not.   This will also contribute to the norms and values of the community. 

The following website http://sexualityandu.ca/teens/what-8.aspx has a section for teens called “Sex and the Law”, where laws, and other policies, including the Age of Consent are raised.  This is a phenomenal idea, as it provides an easy resource for teens that are unsure of their rights and responsibilities surrounding sexual activity.

In order to make this policy more accessible to teens, we propose that it be introduced early in sexual education classes in elementary school. The earlier youth are introduced to their rights to consent or not to consent will better protect them from persons of authority or power that may try to convince them otherwise.  We also feel that if the Age of Consent policy is introduced early on, youth will be much better able to decide for themselves when it is appropriate to engage sexual activity.

We also propose advertisements by means of television and radio in order to promote awareness about the recent increase in age of consent from 14 to 16.  When the general community is aware, everyone can act to protect youth from sexual exploitation.   We also feel that including youth in the education and awareness process is essential, so forums, focus groups, clubs, societies, etc. could be formed within or outside of schools to promote healthy sexual education.

We hope that with an accessible policy, youth will be able to think twice about their sexual decisions, to ensure that they protect their peers and themselves. 

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