Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: The guidance document "Model Policies Concerning Instructional Materials with Sexually Explicit Content" was developed in conjunction with stakeholders in order to comply with SB656 (2022).
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7/28/22  6:44 am
Commenter: Betty K.

Support keeping children safe from sexual material in schools
 

Thank you for bringing this important legislation to Virginians. I am disappointed that so many claim that the bill is too broad (or maybe they need to actually read it) - the definition is quite clear in the document: 


"Section 2.2-2827 of the Virginia Code, which pertains to restrictions on accessing sexually explicit content via agency owned or leased computer equipment, states that “Sexually explicit content” “means (i) any description of or (ii) any picture, photograph, drawing, motion picture film, digital image or similar visual representation depicting sexual bestiality, a lewd exhibition of nudity, as nudity is defined in Section 18.2-390, sexual excitement, sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse, as also defined in Section 18.2-390, coprophilia, urophilia, or fetishism.” " 


I think childhood is something that needs to be cherished and protected and feel once a child has to face sexuality in such brutal formats, that is lost.  Children should not be exposed to explicit material until they are mature enough to understand it, age does not make this happen. A parent who loves that child and knows what they have been exposed to is the best person to make that decision. This material should not be in schools, schools are necessary to teach reading, writing, math, science and history.  Although they might teach some values - the problems come when the school inserts their own over the parents. All material should be safe from sexually explicit material, including the values that teachers hold and is fashionable today to foist upon their classrooms. I don't care what they do in their bedrooms - just keep it there and not in my child's face. 

CommentID: 124104