The safety and well-being of Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students is our top priority.

About Erin’s Law – Bill 123

In 2024, Bill 123 (Erin’s Law) amended Ontario’s Education Act.

Every publicly-funded school board must:

  • Provide age-appropriate learning every year to help students recognize, prevent, and report child sexual abuse.
  • Share information and resources with parents, families and caregivers.
  • Provide annual information to teachers and school staff on prevention and reporting.

These requirements help ensure that every child and caring adult knows how to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse.

Updated Curriculum Resources for Grades 1 to 9

The WRDSB has introduced curriculum resources for Grades 1 to 9 in the Healthy Living Strand of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum in support of the safety and well-being of all students. This includes interactive safety education lessons on personal safety strategies for online and offline scenarios.

Grade 1

In Grade 1, the focus of the learning will be on feelings and having a grown-up that students can go to for help.

Grade 2

In Grade 2, the focus of the learning will be on emotions and identifying a safe grown-up.

Grade 3

In Grade 3, the focus of the learning will be on friendship, setting personal boundaries and being assertive.

Grade 4

In Grade 4, the focus of the learning will be on friendship, how we feel, and how we act.

Grade 5

In Grade 5, the focus of the learning will be on safe and unsafe secrets, safety online and at home.

Grade 6

In Grade 6, the focus of the learning will be on relationships and safety online.

Grade 7

In Grade 7, the focus of the learning will be on safe and unsafe personal boundaries, and safety online.

Grade 8

In Grade 8, the focus of the learning will continue to be safe and unsafe personal boundaries, and safety online.

Grade 9

In Grade 9, the focus of the learning will be on healthy relationships, consent, and setting safe boundaries.

Grades 10 to 12

In Grades 10 to 12, each student will receive an informational pamphlet on Healthy Relationships, Consent and How to Reach Out For Help.

Information for Parents, Families and Caregivers

  • Talk early and often about body safety, consent, and safe/unsafe secrets.
  • Build trust so children feel safe to disclose concerns.
  • Know the signs and act quickly—call Family & Children’s Services or police if you suspect abuse.

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is any act of a sexual nature with or without physical contact committed without the child’s consent or through manipulation, coercion, or blackmail.

Examples include:

  • Inappropriate touching or requests to touch
  • Exposing a child to sexual acts or explicit material
  • Making sexually explicit comments
  • Sexual luring or exploitation using technology

If a Child Discloses Abuse

  • Stay calm and listen
  • Reassure: “You did the right thing by telling me.”
  • Affirm: “This is not your fault. I believe you.”
  • Report immediately: In Ontario, everyone has a legal duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect to Family & Children’s Services and/or police.

You do not need proof—reasonable suspicion is enough.

Resources for Parents, Families and Caregivers