❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren asks about the Department of Education's policy on supporting gender-transitioning students. The Minister responds by outlining existing policies and a current review.
AnsweredQoN 1319Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION — TRANSGENDER POLICY
1319. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
Minister for Education:
(1) Does the Department of Education have a policy to support
gender-transitioning students?
(2) If yes to (1), when was that
policy introduced, and has it been updated recently?
(3) How can parents, students and schools access this policy?
(4) Is the
minister aware that tomorrow is the Perth Transgender Day of Remembrance, and a
public candlelight memorial service will be held at the Perth Urban Orchard to
honour the memory of those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence,
and to recognise those transfolk who have sadly taken their lives in the past
year?
OF EDUCATION — TRANSGENDER POLICY
1319. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
Minister for Education:
(1) Does the Department of Education have a policy to support
gender-transitioning students?
(2) If yes to (1), when was that
policy introduced, and has it been updated recently?
(3) How can parents, students and schools access this policy?
(4) Is the
minister aware that tomorrow is the Perth Transgender Day of Remembrance, and a
public candlelight memorial service will be held at the Perth Urban Orchard to
honour the memory of those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence,
and to recognise those transfolk who have sadly taken their lives in the past
year?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) The
Department of Education is currently reviewing its policies, advice, resources,
and support available for transgender students to determine whether additional
supports, resources and/or policy are required. Existing Department of
Education policies comply with the Sex Discrimination Act 2013, which provides
protections against discrimination and harassment based on a person's
sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status and relationship status.
The department's equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment
policy and procedures outline the grounds of unlawful discrimination and
harassment applicable to students and staff. The behaviour management in
schools policy requires all public schools to create and maintain a safe and
positive learning environment and refers specifically to homophobic forms of
bullying and gender and sexuality-based harassment. The sexual harassment of students
is also addressed in the child protection policy.
(2) The
department's equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment policy
and procedures were effective from 1 April 2014, and the procedures were
updated on 19 December 2014. The behaviour management in schools policy was
effective from 28 January 2008 and last updated on 9 April 2013, and the child
protection policy was effective from 8 April 2009 and last updated on 26 November
2013.
(3) Parents,
students and schools are able to access all Department of Education policies
through its website. Schools also have access to additional resources on
supporting transgender students, and links to other resources, including the
Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia ''Guidelines for
supporting sexual and gender diversity in schools''.
(4) Yes.
question.
(1) The
Department of Education is currently reviewing its policies, advice, resources,
and support available for transgender students to determine whether additional
supports, resources and/or policy are required. Existing Department of
Education policies comply with the Sex Discrimination Act 2013, which provides
protections against discrimination and harassment based on a person's
sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status and relationship status.
The department's equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment
policy and procedures outline the grounds of unlawful discrimination and
harassment applicable to students and staff. The behaviour management in
schools policy requires all public schools to create and maintain a safe and
positive learning environment and refers specifically to homophobic forms of
bullying and gender and sexuality-based harassment. The sexual harassment of students
is also addressed in the child protection policy.
(2) The
department's equal opportunity, discrimination and harassment policy
and procedures were effective from 1 April 2014, and the procedures were
updated on 19 December 2014. The behaviour management in schools policy was
effective from 28 January 2008 and last updated on 9 April 2013, and the child
protection policy was effective from 8 April 2009 and last updated on 26 November
2013.
(3) Parents,
students and schools are able to access all Department of Education policies
through its website. Schools also have access to additional resources on
supporting transgender students, and links to other resources, including the
Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia ''Guidelines for
supporting sexual and gender diversity in schools''.
(4) Yes.
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