Protecting Kids in Criminal Law

Talking about sex with kids is challenging enough. Discussing sex offences with them might feel impossible. But ignoring the issue doesn't make it go away. Getting in front of this difficult issue with school-aged kids is key to protecting them from a future criminal charge.

At first glance, talking about sex crimes may seem too complex or too dark for children. Yet, sexual crimes vary in severity, and many come disguised as seemingly trivial actions with euphemistic labels:

• A stolen kiss

• Surprise butt slap

• Drunk sex

• Sexting

• Peeping Tom

These behaviours can be tricky to navigate because they aren’t always illegal. Is all sexting a crime? Certainly not. Is sex after drinking any alcohol always considered rape? No. But do students know where the legal lines are drawn?

Does your child?

The issue is that criminal law surrounding sex offences is incredibly complex. Sexual offences aren’t just about stranger danger; they happen online, in text messages, at parties, and among friends. Lawyers and courts are continually wrestling with issues like consent, inebriation and sex, child pornography, and sexual bullying.

Sexuality and its related laws become more complicated every year. Yet, this year, Ontario educators are being instructed to provide even less information on the topic of sex.

Pop Quiz

• When Johnny sends a nude photo of himself to his girlfriend, is he breaking the law?

• When a high school senior hooks up with a junior, is it considered sexual assault, even if there’s clear consent?

• Is the explicit cartoon kids found online illegal pornography?

In real life, there’s no second chance to get the answers right. A mistake could lead to a conviction, resulting in a spot on the sex offender registry, minimum jail sentences, probation, or restrictions on internet and public spaces like parks and pools.

Surprised? With proper sex education, you wouldn’t be.

Lack of information is a dangerous trap. It’s easy to unknowingly commit a crime or be found guilty of one you didn’t even know existed. This happens more often than you'd think.

In the courtroom, ignorance of the law is not a defence. If you didn’t know your actions were illegal, the court sees it as ignorance—not innocence.

Avoiding these difficult conversations doesn’t stop sexual offences from happening; it enables them. The #MeToo movement aimed to shed light on sexual offences that were often ignored. Halting comprehensive sex education only plunges us back into darkness.

In every subject, students need to learn the material before being tested on it. Educators require accurate and up-to-date resources to help them navigate these complex issues.

The best place to understand the legal landscape surrounding sex isn’t in the courtroom—it’s in the classroom.