How A 12-Year-Old Girl Fought To Get Consent Taught In Sexual Education Classes In Maryland

What an incredible young woman.

Jack

• Published in Interesting
• December 23, 2018

It's not coincidence that there has been an explosion of social movements aiming to combat what has long since been considered 'boys being boys'.

From the Me Too movement and other Twitter based movements to an outpouring of personal stories from women all over the world who are seeking to end an age of entitlement for men in positions of power exploiting women sexually, there has been a shift in the general consciousness regarding the issue.

One little girl named Maeve Sanford-Kelly has joined the chorus for change, standing in front of local legislators to change the school curriculum.

Maeve's mother helped her navigate the complicated process and together, working with other young people from the area, they spoke in front of local legislators, pushing for the idea that consent should be taught to kids as young as 12, her current age, and that beginning the conversation in high school is already far too late for some.

In seventh grade we're taught about abstinence, we're taught about HIV and AIDS prevention, and we're taught about STDs. We should learn about consent. As middle schoolers, we're constantly consuming media: the movies we see have sex scenes in them, the music we listen to has sexual themes, and you can see naked women anywhere. We hear stories, we read stories, about... Brock Turner and Bill Cosby... but there's not a disclaimer that says sexual assault is wrong. It doesn't say that sexual violence is bad or that rape is inexcusable. We have to be taught that. Before we are taught about pregnancy prevention and STDs, we have to be taught about consent.



Maeve Sanford-Kelly's presentation.

After the success of this initial speech at a local level, Maeve's mother and her took it a step further to the state congress. This bill was unsuccessful, however Maeve was undeterred and claimed that they would be back next year. They were, and by this point the Me Too movement was thoroughly underway and the bill received a far better reception.

Jack