Some California high schools to teach 'yes means yes' sex policy

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ByMatt Keller KGO logo
Friday, October 2, 2015
Some California high schools to teach 'yes means yes' sex policy
California's "yes means yes" policy on college campuses will soon be taught in high schools to help educate students on sexual consent.

CAMPBELL, Calif (KGO) -- California's "yes means yes" policy on college campuses will soon be taught in high schools as well, to include more lessons on sexual consent.

At the Campbell Unified High School District is trying to figure out what exactly this will mean for the curriculum for its seven campuses.

School districts already require a health course to graduate and would also be required to teach about "yes means yes" and sexual violence prevention, issues that are already in place in all California colleges and universities.

The says sexual activity is only considered consensual when both partners clearly state their willingness to participate.

Supporters on both sides of the political aisle say it is needed to teach teens about healthy sexual boundaries and relationships before they go to college or into the workforce.

"I think it's great because as students, we don't know a lot about sex. And when we have boyfriends and they abuse us we don't know what to do. I think if we learn, then we know how to prevent it," said Amanda Kotov, a high school senior.

The law also requires school districts to provide comprehensive sex education classes twice between 7th and 12th grade, update instruction on HIV prevention, address students of all sexual orientations and adds new language relating to teen relationship abuse and sex trafficking.

As with all sex ed courses, parents are allowed to excuse their child from attending.

Governor Brown just signed this new law. The new law goes into effect January 1, but it's likely going to take longer before it ends up in your child's classroom.