Rutgers suing conservative Christian group over disinformation about sex education week
The sexual health knowledge center Rutgers is filing a lawsuit against Civitas Christiana. According to Rutgers, this “extremely conservative” Christian group persistently spreads slander and disinformation about the Week van de Lentekriebels, which translates to Spring Fever Week.
During this annual project week, primary schools can use a Rutgers education program to teach kids about relationships, sexuality, and resilience. According to the center, teachers and schools are increasingly experiencing pressure not to participate due to the disinformation spread by Civitas Christiana.
Among other things, the Christian foundation claims the program is LGBTQIA+ propaganda, normalizes pedophilia and homosexuality, sexualizes children, and forces genital mutilation on toddlers, Rutgers said. According to Rutgers, the foundation spreads fake news on social media, substantiating its claims with examples that have nothing to do with the curriculum and out-of-context posts from other sources.
In recent years, Civitas’ campaign has often led to unrest and even threats against Rutgers employees.
“We find it incomprehensible and terrible that Civitas is hindering us and all schools in the Netherlands with their lies about Rutgers and Spring Fever Week,” said Rutgers deputy director Luc Lauwers. “With lies, slander, and disinformation, this extremely conservative foundation is standing in the way of the safe, healthy, and happy development of children and young people.”
The knowledge center wants Civitas Christiana to stop spreading this misinformation and rectify the damage already done.
“Everyone has their own perspectives and standards and values, that is a great asset in a free democracy,” Lauwers said. “But we draw a line at lies and slander.”
The 20th edition of Spring Fever Week starts on Monday. Participation is voluntary.
