How a Wave of Violent Protests Erupted in Belgium After Teaching Sex Subjects to Children

In a move that underscores the evolving educational landscape in Belgium, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation’s parliament has passed a resolution mandating sex education across its schools.

The legislation, which will affect approximately 110,000 students in the French-speaking regions of Wallonia and Brussels, received overwhelming support, with a unanimous vote save for three abstentions.

Controversial Law

The decision has not been without controversy. A sizable demonstration, predominantly comprising members of the Muslim community, convened outside the parliamentary building in objection.

Their concerns had been previously articulated by various Muslim organizations in a collective statement issued on Wednesday.

They voiced apprehension regarding the implementation of the program and the nature of its content, suggesting it could potentially conflict with the core values upheld within family education and the best interests of students and their families.

The signatories of the statement represent a cross-section of Islamic associations in Belgium, including the Diyanet Foundation and the Islamic Federation of Belgium, among others.

While sex education has been a part of the Belgian curriculum since 2012, its voluntary status has now been changed.

With the new ruling, attendance in sex education classes will be compulsory for students in the 4th and 6th grades of primary school, marking a significant shift in educational policy.

In a move to standardize educational experiences, the French-speaking Community of Belgium has instituted a new policy mandating sexual education for students within specific age brackets, ensuring they receive a minimum of two hours of such education annually.

Hypersexualization

Previously, the French-speaking schools in Belgium had the autonomy to decide on the implementation of sexual education, a contrast to the Dutch-speaking schools where it has been compulsory.

With the new policy, students in the 6th grade, between the ages of 11 and 12, and those in the 4th grade, between the ages of 15 and 16, will now receive two hours of instruction from educators who have received specialized training in the field.

The policy, however, has sparked significant opposition from parents and civil groups, who argue that it could lead to the “hypersexualization” of students and believe that the timing of such discussions should be at the parents’ discretion.

These concerns were voiced loudly by protestors who convened outside the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles during a plenary session where the policy, abbreviated as EVRAS for “Education à la Vie Relationnelle, Affective et Sexuelle,” was put to a vote.

The intensity of the public’s response was palpable, with calls for the abandonment of the policy and the resignation of Education Minister Caroline Désir.

The protest was particularly marked by the presence of individuals who, on religious grounds, contended that sexual education classes would undermine the purity of the youth.

In response to the wave of criticism, Désir has offered reassurances that the policy in question underwent thorough consideration and has been misconstrued by certain religious groups pursuing their own interests.

Désir clarified, “The policy is not designed to promote any particular sexual orientation or gender identity, nor is it about instructing sexual practices. It is wholly inappropriate to instill fear in parents over these matters.”

The controversy surrounding the EVRAS policy escalated this week as arsonists targeted several schools in Charleroi. The buildings were defaced with messages opposing EVRAS. While the authorities are still investigating and have not identified any suspects, the Charleroi police issued a statement indicating that the attacks were politically motivated.

EVRAS Protest

The mayor of Charleroi, Paul Magnette, who also leads the socialist party PS, swiftly denounced the arson as “acts of terror,” directed at educators and students alike. The aftermath of the attacks led to the closure of several schools, significantly disrupting the educational process.

Another incident occurred when an arsonist struck yet another school around 2 a.m.

The prompt response of emergency services averted a larger catastrophe, containing the fire before it could spread further. Despite their efforts, the damage inflicted was considerable.

Olivier Flemal, the chief of the local fire department, remarked that any delay in the response could have resulted in the complete destruction of the facility. Consequently, the school did not open on Thursday.

Wannes Magits, a policy developer at Sensoa, the Flemish expertise center for sexual health, addressed the controversy surrounding the EVRAS program.

He attributed the backlash to “a strict religious corner, both Catholic and Islamic,” and denounced what he described as a “fake news campaign” that has been manipulating parental emotions with unfounded allegations, causing widespread alarm.

The recent overhaul of the French educational curriculum is set to align with the Flemish model, a move that has been met with approval from a broad spectrum of health and education professionals.

They advocate for the comprehensive approach of the program, which encompasses critical subjects often omitted in familial settings.

The discourse has particularly highlighted the silence surrounding these topics in religious households, where they are frequently shunned. Experts warn that this reticence can result in significant informational deficits that could adversely affect the youth both presently and in their future endeavors.