Max Jenson

My name is Max Jenson. I am a survivor of sexual abuse by a teacher, and one of the first nine people who came forward to hold Kelsey McKay accountable. Today, that public count has grown to thirteen victims. In the spring of 2024, after seeing justice done in my own case, I made the choice to speak out publicly. I had two clear goals: I wanted other survivors suffering in silence to know that what happened to them was never their fault, and I wanted to fix a broken system so no other kids in Manitoba or across Canada have to live through what I did.

Since starting this journey, I’ve been working closely with incredible child protection and advocacy groups, including Stop Educator Child Exploitation (SECE), the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), the Toba Centre for Children & Youth, and the REES Community.

What I’ve Learned About Where the System Fails

My focus is on fixing the cracks in our school systems and youth sports programs. When you look closely at how the system is currently set up, a few major red flags stand out:

• Abuse in the Digital Age: I was abused right as smartphones and social media were becoming a normal part of teenage life. I know firsthand how technology gives abusers 24/7, unblockable access to kids. It means a victim can never truly escape their abuser, even when they go home.
• Dismantling Pandemic Protections: I watched how certain safety barriers put in place before and during COVID-19 were quietly rolled back afterward, leaving kids exposed all over again.
• Teacher Training: I've seen how teachers are trained before entering the classroom. However, the realities of working in a system processes were not followed. There was a fear of reporting unless you had clear evidence of harm and it was questionable that one would be protected for reporting abuse.

My goal isn't to create an environment of fear or to stop good, caring adults from working with children. It’s about drawing clear, common-sense boundaries that protect everyone involved.

Bringing a Different Perspective to the Table

I don't just look at this as a survivor; I look at it through the lens of my everyday life and career:

• Lessons from the Construction Industry: I work in heavy construction. As a Journeyperson, Foreperson, and General Foreperson, I’ve managed massive jobsites with up to 300 workers, subcontractors, and union members. In my industry, if you are negligent about safety, people die, and you face severe legal consequences. Risk assessments are a daily requirement. I believe we need to bring that exact same uncompromising "safety first" culture into our schools.
• Understanding the predator: To protect myself and gather the evidence needed to stop my abuser, I had to spend years trying to understand his mind, how he groomed me, and how his abuse operated.
• Being a Dad: First and foremost, I am a parent with kids in the school system right now. This fight isn't academic for me - it’s personal.

What Needs to Change Right Now

I strongly back the legislative changes proposed by SECE. Together, we are pushing for five simple, non-negotiable fixes:

1. Clear Rules: Black-and-white policies on how teachers and students are allowed to interact.
2. Safe Ways to Speak Up: Secure, judgment-free ways for students and parents to report weird behavior without fear of backlash.
3. Real Consequences for Silence: Strict penalties for any adult or institution that covers up abuse or fails to report it.
4. A Voice for Families: Giving parents and students a real seat at the table when safety policies are written.
5. Better Education: Teaching staff and students exactly what boundary-crossing looks like and the dangers of letting it slide.

To get this done, I’ve been meeting with politicians from all parties here in Manitoba, speaking out in the media, and I recently took part in the Federal Government’s Future of Sport in Canada Commission.

Safety is a basic human right. If adults are legally guaranteed a safe, risk-assessed environment when they show up for work every day, our kids deserve that exact same baseline of safety when they show up to school.

Please take a minute and read about Max in this 2024 article in the Manitoba Free Press.