Outcry against rape culture in U.K. schools
Since the abduction and killing of Sarah Everard in early March, a national conversation about the violence women face has been set off in the U.K. One response to this nationwide problem was the utilization of the testimonial platform called Everyone’s Invited. While the platform launched last year, in the past month, there have been more than 11,500 anonymous accounts of sexual assault and counting of girls as young as 9 years old. The accusations range from criminal sexual attacks, verbal harassment, unwanted touching, sexual violence, sexism and misogyny, all of which were reported to have occurred during their times as students in the U.K. These women have stated the sexual assault was committed within the walls of the schools or outside of schools, but mostly at parties. Some of the schools mentioned include institutions such as Dulwich College, King’s College School and Highgate School, among many others. Everyone’s Invited’s goal is to raise awareness of sexual assault trauma and let trauma survivors know they’re not alone.
Supreme Court in Canada rules federal carbon tax constitutional
On March 25, the federal carbon tax measure was declared by the Canadian Supreme Court to meet an important national need. Setting minimum carbon prices as a way to reduce emissions and encourage efficiency is a cornerstone of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s climate change program. On April 1, the price was set at 40 Canadian dollars for every metric ton and will reach 170 dollars per ton by 2030. Most provinces in Canada have their own programs to meet those targets, either through a direct charge on fuels and industry emissions or by setting a cap on emissions and creating a marketplace for industries that exceed the limit to buy emission permits from other businesses that fall below the cap.
New Zealand approves paid leave after miscarriage
On March 24, New Zealand’s Parliament unanimously approved that they would give couples who suffered a miscarriage or stillbirth three days paid leave. The new legislation will allow leave to anyone who loses a pregnancy at any point; there was previously legislation that provided paid leave to couples who have lost a fetus after 20 weeks or more. The new legislation is expected to become law in New Zealand in the coming weeks. The new law will not apply to abortions.
