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Call to start sex education earlier to stem sexual violence on campus Call to start sex education earlier to stem sexual violence on campus
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The problems of sexual harassment and sexual violence on campus will not subside unless education about respectful, consensual relationships begins earlier, at school, campaigners have said.The problems of sexual harassment and sexual violence on campus will not subside unless education about respectful, consensual relationships begins earlier, at school, campaigners have said.
As a Guardian film exploring the sexist element of “lad culture” at universities launched on Monday, the Sex Education Forum (SEF) said progress could only be made if people were educated earlier on.As a Guardian film exploring the sexist element of “lad culture” at universities launched on Monday, the Sex Education Forum (SEF) said progress could only be made if people were educated earlier on.
In the film, students reported that they had little or no relationship or consent advice at school.In the film, students reported that they had little or no relationship or consent advice at school.
The SEF, which has long campaigned for compulsory sex and relationship education on the school curriculum, said that it had previously published research that 40% of 19- to 25-year-olds rated their sex and relationship education at school as “bad or very bad”.The SEF, which has long campaigned for compulsory sex and relationship education on the school curriculum, said that it had previously published research that 40% of 19- to 25-year-olds rated their sex and relationship education at school as “bad or very bad”.
SEF coordinator Lucy Emmerson said: “Our philosophy is that sex and relationship education is a lifelong learning process. Ideally it needs to start at the beginning and should be mandatory in primary and secondary school. But it is clear that many children and young people go through school without getting vital age-appropriate information about their bodies, what is right and wrong in relationships, consent and sexual health.”SEF coordinator Lucy Emmerson said: “Our philosophy is that sex and relationship education is a lifelong learning process. Ideally it needs to start at the beginning and should be mandatory in primary and secondary school. But it is clear that many children and young people go through school without getting vital age-appropriate information about their bodies, what is right and wrong in relationships, consent and sexual health.”
A third of respondents to an online survey it published in 2014 said they had not learned about consent in the classroom, despite government guidance that secondary schools should cover it in sex relationship education (SRE).A third of respondents to an online survey it published in 2014 said they had not learned about consent in the classroom, despite government guidance that secondary schools should cover it in sex relationship education (SRE).
In 2013, in its latest report into the issue, Ofsted showed that personal social and health education (PSHE) and SRE was inadequate in 40% of English schools. According to the SEF, 40% of those aged 16-24 say lessons at school are their main source of information about sex. The next largest source of information is “friends”, at 24%. Just 7% of boys said they learned from a parent, compared with 14.5% of girls.In 2013, in its latest report into the issue, Ofsted showed that personal social and health education (PSHE) and SRE was inadequate in 40% of English schools. According to the SEF, 40% of those aged 16-24 say lessons at school are their main source of information about sex. The next largest source of information is “friends”, at 24%. Just 7% of boys said they learned from a parent, compared with 14.5% of girls.
Emmerson said: “For a young person, it is completely random whether they are taught properly. When they get to university the level of knowledge is hit or miss.”Emmerson said: “For a young person, it is completely random whether they are taught properly. When they get to university the level of knowledge is hit or miss.”
Last month, after a number of high profile reports suggesting widespread concern among students about sexual harassment and assault,Sajid Javid, the business secretary, launched a taskforce to investigate sexual assault against women on campus and for universities to develop a code of practice to deal with incidents. Last month, after a number of high-profile reports suggesting widespread concern among students about sexual harassment and assault, Sajid Javid, the business secretary, launched a taskforce to investigate sexual assault against women on campus and for universities to develop a code of practice to deal with incidents.
One in seven female students who responded to an NUS study in 2010 said they had been seriously sexually or physically assaulted.One in seven female students who responded to an NUS study in 2010 said they had been seriously sexually or physically assaulted.
Citing awareness-raising initiatives such as “consent workshops” and discussion groups for students, run by unions and universities to tackle the issue, Emmerson said: “I’m absolutely certain that if early education was available the nature of these workshops would shift because the work would be done already.”Citing awareness-raising initiatives such as “consent workshops” and discussion groups for students, run by unions and universities to tackle the issue, Emmerson said: “I’m absolutely certain that if early education was available the nature of these workshops would shift because the work would be done already.”
Emmerson said: “Research shows that SRE, if done early, leads to children having sex later, for them to have wanted sex and for them to use contraceptives. It’s crystal clear from international evidence that there’s a link, but still no action.” Emmerson said: “Research shows that SRE, if done early, leads to children having sex later, for them to have wanted sex and for them to use contraceptives. It’s crystal clear from international evidence that there’s a link but still no action.”
Earlier this year, MPs recommended a statutory footing for comprehensive sex and relationship education in all primary and secondary schools, with sufficient curriculum time devoted to the subject and training for teachers, after a hard-hitting report found an “overwhelming demand” for it among teachers, parents and young people.Earlier this year, MPs recommended a statutory footing for comprehensive sex and relationship education in all primary and secondary schools, with sufficient curriculum time devoted to the subject and training for teachers, after a hard-hitting report found an “overwhelming demand” for it among teachers, parents and young people.
Neil Carmichael, the new chair of the Commons select committee on education, said the government had missed an opportunity with its “inadequate” response to the committee’s report and recommendations. The government’s response sidestepped the issue of compulsory SRE, he said.Neil Carmichael, the new chair of the Commons select committee on education, said the government had missed an opportunity with its “inadequate” response to the committee’s report and recommendations. The government’s response sidestepped the issue of compulsory SRE, he said.
“The secretary of state for business is quite right to be worried about this and right to order a report into it,” said Carmichael. “But this came after opportunities to deal with young people’s understanding of sexual relations has been lost.” “The secretary of state for business is quite right to be worried about this and right to order a report into it,” said Carmichael. “But this came after opportunities to deal with young people’s understanding of sexual relations have been lost.”
The Tory MP for Stroud said he would renew efforts to persuade the government to make SRE mandatory in primary and secondary schools. “We will keep probing this,” he said. “We are not going to let this go. There is a large body of supporters, including teachers, parents and community organisers.” The Tory MP for Stroud said he would renew efforts to persuade the government to make SRE mandatory in primary and secondary schools. “We will keep probing this,” he said. “We are not going to let this go. There is a large body of supporters, including teachers, parents and community organisers.
“My principle point is that people are taught about respecting others in all contexts. If they are taught it at school, the likelihood of it continuing is much reduced.” “My principle point is that people are taught about respecting others in all contexts.”
The last statutory guidance for sex and relationship education in Britain was 14 years ago. The committee’s nine-month inquiry heard evidence of a significant shift in behaviour in that time, with the rise of social media, easy access to pornography and an increase in cyberbullying.The last statutory guidance for sex and relationship education in Britain was 14 years ago. The committee’s nine-month inquiry heard evidence of a significant shift in behaviour in that time, with the rise of social media, easy access to pornography and an increase in cyberbullying.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “High quality sex and relationship education is a vital part of preparing young people for life in modern Britain, helping them make informed choices, stay safe and learn to respect themselves and others. There are a range of resources available for teachers to help teach the importance of building healthy relationships including new guidance on consent from the PSHE Association.”A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “High quality sex and relationship education is a vital part of preparing young people for life in modern Britain, helping them make informed choices, stay safe and learn to respect themselves and others. There are a range of resources available for teachers to help teach the importance of building healthy relationships including new guidance on consent from the PSHE Association.”
The spokesperson said that sex and relationship education is compulsory in maintained secondary schools. Maintained schools currently represent about 40% of all secondary schools.The spokesperson said that sex and relationship education is compulsory in maintained secondary schools. Maintained schools currently represent about 40% of all secondary schools.
“We also expect academies and free schools to deliver relationship education as part of their provision of a broad and balanced curriculum.”“We also expect academies and free schools to deliver relationship education as part of their provision of a broad and balanced curriculum.”