‘Disgusting and shameful’: School dress code comments by Chilliwack trustees irk union head
I am writing this letter in response to the above article noted.
I wanted to thank Rob Ashton for reminding me that, as a female, I still have the human right to expect and demand healthy respect and fair treatment from others, no matter their gender.
I understand that males can become distracted or attracted by the site of skin, youth, vibrance, femininity and vitality - but keep in mind that females are no different when it comes to males … so maybe teenage boys need to start covering up too…no more tank tops on scorching summer days, I suppose. Maybe the basketball uniforms should be tamed down too - heaven forbid that they become sexually distracting to the audience or attract the attention of a predator.
I am really angry that some people believe that the solution to stop predators and attraction or sexual distraction rests on the shoulders of females in society. It is not our responsibility to control the feelings and behaviours of others, nor is it our fault if a male trespasses on clear boundaries.
As a victim of sexual abuse, I am told constantly that it is OK and vital to have boundaries…but some of these trustees are making it quite clear that my boundaries are not enough and that if something bad happens to me that I provoked it to happen.
Females are supposed to have Human and Civil Rights no matter what age, but these rights seem to only exist on paper…not in action. I am truly understanding why. We have a handful of teachers and trusted guardians sexually shaming our children so that they grow up with a disgusting perceptions of themselves and others. I was a victim of that shaming too in high school and middle school. I wore my first skirt when I was 18 years old and everyone around me seemed so shocked that I actually had legs, lol. That was in 1999.
Anyways, thank you Rob Ashton, for having more understanding and consideration for female rights and the right to healthy development (mentally AND physically) than the female trustees and teachers seem to have. It is going to be wonderful men like you who help tremendously to raise confident and healthy minded women for the future.
Thank you most for not supporting the sexual shaming of females. That behaviour is not only antiquated - it is purely disgusting. We need more mental health, not illness.
Jenny Doran
Chilliwack