A new coalition called You Hope is stepping up to defend the rights of homeschool families in Utah, following a wave of criticism aimed at the homeschooling community. The coalition emerged in response to the tragic death of Gavin Peterson, which sparked a national debate accusing homeschoolers of harboring child abusers. However, advocates argue that data shows homeschooled children are actually 2.5 times less likely to suffer abuse compared to their peers in public education.

During a recent government meeting, coalition representatives emphasized the need for homeschoolers to have a voice in the conversation about child safety. They highlighted that the community is committed to protecting children and would take action if they suspected any signs of abuse.

In light of the negative attention, the coalition is pushing back against existing regulations that they believe unfairly target homeschool families. A law passed a few years ago requires parents to sign a criminal affidavit when withdrawing their children from public school to homeschool. Recently, the Davis School District has taken this further by implementing background checks for homeschool parents, leading to rejections of applications from families who are new to homeschooling.

The coalition aims to advocate for the rights of homeschoolers and ensure that their commitment to child safety is recognized. As they continue their efforts, they hope to change perceptions and policies that they believe unjustly stigmatize the homeschooling community.