The Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, and the Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, today announced $200,000 from the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, to expand the Commit to Kids online training program to address sexual abuse.

First offered in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024, Commit to Kids is a child-safety training program created by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It is supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association. Since 2024, 1,140 people supporting grades 7-12 have been trained.

This year’s goal is to train another 1,000 people in the kindergarten to Grade 12 system, including teachers, administrators, student assistants, bus drivers and other school staff. Training focuses on how to recognize signs of abuse, understand behaviours that may put children at risk, respond appropriately when a child shares a concern, and create safer environments for children and youth.

In addition to the Commit to Kids training, Newfoundland and Labrador’s new health education curriculum takes a trauma-informed approach to promoting healthy relationships, consent, personal boundaries, communication skills and social-emotional well-being. The curriculum includes age-appropriate learning related to gender-based violence prevention, including topics such as intimate partner violence, exploitation, grooming, coercion and online safety.

As part of its early work, the Task Force to End Gender-Based Violence received a presentation from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on the new health curriculum and discussed opportunities to strengthen education and prevention efforts related to healthy relationships and gender-based violence.

Quotes
“Every child deserves to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment. This investment will ensure that more educators and school staff throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have access to training that helps them identify risks, support children who may be experiencing abuse, and contribute to a culture of safety and respect. Prevention starts with education, and initiatives like Commit to Kids are an important part of our work to end gender-based violence before it begins.”
Honourable Lela Evans
Minister of Women and Gender Equality

“Creating safer schools starts with giving teachers the tools they need to support students. This online training funding complements updates to our health curriculum, which focuses on trauma-informed education to help children and youth thrive. Giving our teachers additional resources empowers them to create safer schools and have better outcomes for our students.”
Honourable Paul Dinn
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

“Preventing gender-based violence includes creating safe and supportive environments where children and youth can learn, grow and thrive. Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, the federal government is helping equip those who support young people with the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of abuse and respond safely and with care. Together, we are building stronger communities, and a safer future for every child.”
Honourable Rechie Valdez
Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

“Meaningful professional development is vital for educators and helps ensure teachers have the tools and knowledge they need to support their students. We all share the goal of making sure students are safe and supported at school, while also making sure they have access to important curriculum and learning opportunities.”
Dale Lambe
President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association

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Learn more
Office of Women and Gender Equality 

Education and Early Childhood Development

Women and Gender Equality Canada

National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence 

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