Child abuse policy under fire
By Andrea Lavigne
Victoria News
Nov 01 2006

The Greater Victoria school district's child safety regulations are inadequate, says a parent.

A mother who's son allegedly suffered sexual assault and harassment from a known offender told school trustees at a board meeting last month that the school district's regulations are not sufficient.

"In the process of trying to understand how this could have happened, I have discovered that most of your child safety regulations are very out of date and inadequate," she said.

The mother asked the board to update district policies on the legal requirements for reporting child abuse and disclosure of HIV, which changed in 2000 and 2002.

"I feel the inconsistent and untimely updating of policy and regulations is dangerous for students and unfair to staff," the woman said.

She also urged the board to review bullying regulations which haven't been updated since 1993.

Trustees did pass a motion to approve wording changes to Child Abuse policy 5140.

Under the new policy, the board is no longer required to "protect school personnel from victimization through false and/or unsubstantiated charges or allegations of sexual or other abuse of children."

alavigne@vicnews.com