THE advocacy group, Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia Inc., has expressed concern about the sexual exploitation of girls in the public education system by male teachers, declaring that young females need protection from sexual predators are posing as teachers.
“Information reaching us indicates girls within the public education system are not safe or protected from sexual exploitation,” the organisation said in a press release Monday.
The release quoted a ‘source’ as indicating that girls are monitored and once they attain the age of sixteen years, male teachers indoctrinate them into dangerous and unhealthy sexual relationships, “specifically those who are vulnerable and from poor homes with unemployed mothers and/or parents.”
Raise Your Voice asserted that the situation is further aggravated when male teachers coerce female students to have abortions and also use intimidation tactics to silence them to protect their relationships, jobs and reputation.
“Education, in its broadest sense, is a “service” which is guaranteed as a human right. Sexual exploitation of girls is therefore prohibited; but, many male teachers prey on girls and it appears they even monitor girls to ensure they are one day past the age of consent to initiate them in sexual relationships,” the advocacy group declared.
“We are sending out a very strong call to the custodians of the public education system i.e. Ministry of Education, Teaching Service Commission, St. Lucia Teaches Union, Principals Associations, Principals and Teachers to ensure the safety of girls within the public education system from sexual predators posing as teachers. And to advocate for the implementation of policies to protect girls and bring male teachers who engage in sexual relationships with students to account,” it stated.
“We encourage the Ministry of Education to appoint a Chief Education Officer to oversee the welfare of all students in the quickest possible time frame. “