A parent has complained her five-year-old daughter was taught sex
education at a school in Hobart and revealed she was assaulted by two
boys in her class just after the visit from Family Planning.
The claims have prompted calls for the course only to be taught with
parental consent.
The parent, who did not want to be named, said her kindergarten child
had come home and
"said the word vagina".
"I was shocked," she said.
"They were taught what a penis and a vagina was, which I don't
think
they should in kinder."
"I told the principal if I had known anything like that was
going to
happen, I would have kept my kids at home all week."
The parent said her child told her about the alleged assault when she
put her to bed that night.
"That's when she told me that two boys in her class had put
their hands
down her pants, and she said she bashed them," the mother said.
"She said it happened in the dolly corner."
"There were three adults in the room and 16 kids and no one saw
it. She
said she did tell the teacher, but the teacher seems to think she did
not tell."
Pembroke Labor MLC Allison Ritchie said the allegation would be
investigated.
"I have had an undertaking from the Education Minister's office
that
this incident will be fully investigated," she said.
"The boys putting their hands down her pants."
Ms Ritchie said she had also heard complaints from people delivering
the
course, who had turned up to a school in the North-West only to find
parental consent had not been sought.
She said the children were part of a protective behaviours course.
The complaint parent said her six-year-old and nine-year-old children
had all been put through the course.
"I never knew it was happening until they all came home and
said," she
said.
"I don't think they should do it at that age, maybe Grade 6 or
Grade 7,
not kinder and prep."
"But the principal said the Government said it was compulsory
for kids
to learn about their bodies at that age."
"They told me that it was Family Planning, they came in to talk
to the
kids about their bodies, who could touch them and who could not."
Ms Ritchie said all schools should ensure that parents had the
opportunity to give their consent and view the content of such courses.
"Parents should absolutely be able to opt out," she said.
"It is not
compulsory for every child."
"You might say I am happy for my Grade 7 child to participate,
but not
my kinder child."
Ms Ritchie said most schools were doing the right thing and gaining
consent.
