The Catholic education sector has welcomed a state government decision to review sexual education in schools, particularly teaching sexual consent.
“All Catholic schools aim to support students in ways that teach them to build and maintain respectful relations,” Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director, Dr Lee-Anne Perry, said.
The government has moved quickly to examine whether sexual consent and reporting is being adequately taught in schools, following explosive allegations of sexual assault and rape occurring among students at some of the state’s elite public and private schools.
They are among thousands of allegations contained in a petition created by a young Sydney woman, former Kambala student Chanel Contos, who has called for better sex education in schools.
“Recent information regarding sexual assaults published by a website and online petition and covered in the media is disturbing to all educators and school communities,” Dr Perry said.
“Our thoughts are with any young people who have suffered harm, whether in an educational setting or while interacting with others in the community and we urge any victim of sexual assault to report the matter to police.
“Catholic schools have both legislative and ethical and moral obligations to meet in cases of reported harm or potential harm to students.”
In a letter to parents, the Principal of Brisbane’s elite Catholic girls school All Hallows’, Catherine O’Kane, wrote she had reached out to past pupils “to send a clear message of support to the brave women who have spoken out about their experience.”
Additionally, the All Hallows’ principal said she contacted Dr Perry advocating for a unified, proactive response to the consent education issue across all education sectors.
“Consent is not just an issue for schools, but one that needs to be addressed by families, government and the broader community,” Ms O’Kane wrote.
“In a year where our school theme inspires us to ‘Lead for Justice’, I feel it is important that All Hallows’ lends its voice to calls for positive and lasting change that brings about greater respect and safety for all women.”
