by: 
AFY_Will
AFY_WillThursday, April 8, 2010 at 3:29:00 PM EDT
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The Wisconsin State Journal broke the news today that Governor Jim Doyle strongly refuted assertions by Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth that educators who teach comprehensive sex education programs would be at risk for criminal prosecution for "contributing to the delinquency of a minor."
This is obviously a welcome turn of events, and Gov. Doyle should be commended for moving quickly to settle the matter. But with hundreds of news stories and lots of misinformation still floating around, it's critical that we help spread the word about the Governor's satement."It's really an unusual argument to make, 'Follow the law and I'll prosecute you,'" Doyle said on Wednesday.
Doyle made his comments to reporters the day after the Wisconsin State Journal and other news organizations reported Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth had sent a letter to five area school districts warning that the state's law will encourage minors to have sex.
Doyle said that those who follow the new state law, which he signed in February, aren't going to be prosecuted "no matter what the views of one particular district attorney are."via RHRealityCheck
You can listen to the audio here:
No teachers will be prosecuted. Period.
So if you know people in Wisconsin, call them. Tell them about Gov. Doyle's statement and encourage them to contact their local school system to voice support for comprehensive sex education.
And if you live in Wisconsin, it's time to pick up the phone. Call your school and your school system. It's more important than ever to voice support for comprehensive sex education in Wisconsin.
After a drawn-out legislative fight, the Wisconsin State Legislature took a bold step towards comprehensive sex education throughout the state. The Healthy Youth Act says that:
- School boards that decide to teach sex education do so in a medically accurate, age appropriate way that addresses key elements proven to work at reducing sexually transmitted infections and unintended teen pregnancies, including providing information about abstinence and contraceptives when age appropriate
- School districts that opt to not teach sex education must send a notice home to parents
- The State apply for federal funds that are allocated for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs
- Deletes a provision in current statutes that forbids volunteer health care providers from providing sex education instruction in areas concerning human sexuality and contraception
- Supports the current ability of parents to opt children out of sex education curriculum.
The Healthy Youth Act is an historic step forward - but only if schools actually teach comprehensive sex education. Scott Southworth's actions were a reckless and shameful attempt to undermine the Healthy Youth Act and scare the citizens of Wisconsin away from science-based programs.
Southworth himself has even admitted that he has no actual plans to charge teachers. "I'm not looking to charge any teachers," he said. "I've got enough work to do."
So why send the letter at all? First, to cause confusion about the Healthy Youth Act. (Sadly, mission accomplished.) Second, to scare teachers, administrators, and parents away from comprehensive sex education.
Well, for anyone who is still nervous, Gov. Doyle put it best: Teachers will NOT be prosecuted, "no matter what the views of one particular district attorney are."
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