FREDERICTON, N.B. – A group of students at Fredericton High School who are challenging their school’s dress code protested outside their school Friday.
The group, called Fredericton Youth Feminists, say the dress code singles out female students and encourages the idea that sexual assault can be blamed on women.
About 40 students didn’t go to their last class Friday. Instead, they protested outside, on the school grounds.
Both male and female students walked out, demanding that their school change the policy.
“One of my friends was sexually assaulted and I just want to support the sexual assault petition,” said student Zach Hudlin.
Grade 12 student Sorcha Beirne is the group’s president. Beirne helped launch an online petition and video calling for the school district to abolish the dress code.
“The tank top would be inappropriate because you could see the bra straps outside the straps of the shirt,” she said.
FHS graduate Emma Howell said she’s glad to see students stand up.
“If you ever complain to a teacher the fact that a boy might be sexually assaulting you they will automatically blame it on the clothes you are wearing and that is rape culture, that is victim blaming and that’s not okay,” Howell said.
Local school board officials have offered to meet with the girls. The school district does have a strict code of conduct designed to protect students from sexual harassment.
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