McGuinty Government making Ontario schools safer

Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne
News Release

********************

TORONTO - Ontario is working to combat harassment and violence in schools by reengaging a team of safety and education experts.

The team will focus on improving school safety by making recommendations aimed at preventing behaviour such as:
- sexual harassment
- homophobia
- gender-based violence.

"One incident of gender-based violence or homophobia in our schools is too many. We have a collective responsibility to take action," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

Research shows that gender-based violence is a serious issue, with far-reaching consequences to individuals, their families, peers, and the community at large. The team will examine the causes of these behaviours, provide recommendations on how to prevent this type of inappropriate behaviour among students and make it easier to report.

The team - called the Safe Schools Action Team - was created in 2004 to examine school safety and review the former safe schools legislation.

Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education Liz Sandals will lead the team and will be joined by the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Leeanna Pendergast.

"This is a strong team, and I'm confident we will once again deliver recommendations that lead to positive change," said Liz Sandals, Parliamentary Assistant to the Education Minister and chair of the Safe Schools Action Team.

Research indicates that improvements in the school climate relate to improvements in academic achievement.

This is part of the Ontario government's safe schools strategy and also addresses a number of issues raised by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's report on sexual harassment and by the Toronto District School Board's School Community Safety Advisory Panel.

********************