What was your sex education like? Maybe it was good, maybe it was bad, maybe it was non-existent. Because in the UK, there is no mandatory sex and relationships education (SRE). So faith schools, private schools and free schools have the right to teach kids whatever they so choose, outside of the normal curriculum that state schools will teach.
The result? Well, we’ve got people growing up not knowing what consent is, not knowing how to report FGM, not knowing how healthy relationships are conducted, not knowing what’s what when it comes to their genitals, not knowing that it’s ok to be LGBT. A new advert from #SRENow, the campaign lobbying the government for mandatory SRE, shows what would happen if any other subject were treated like SRE:
Some people might say, oh, well, SRE is not an issue for schools to teach kids. But where better to educate children on something that parents might be uncomfortable broaching? Where better to provide the actual biological facts, and explain the true consequences of unhealthy relationships? Plus, the rate of sexual offences at schools is tragically high, as recent statistics showed there were 5,500 allegations that incidences of this kind, including rapes, have occurred in UK schools from 2011-2014. That’s over ten a day. In schools. If that’s not reason enough for schools to be teaching SRE, what is?
There’s currently a government inquiry into sexual assault at schools, but in order to push further for the government to make SRE mandatory, EverydaySexism and the Coalition for Ending Violence Against Women want public support behind their cause. If you think young people should be taught about sex and relationships - both as much part of modern life as reading instructions on a pill packet or counting change at the corner shop - sign the petition below.
If you’ve ever been the victim of a sexual offence at the hands of someone who didn’t know that no means no and yes means yes, Sign it!
If you know anyone who’s been a victim of a sexual offence, Sign it!
If you think young girls living in fear of or suffering the consequences of FGM should know their rights, Sign it!
If you think LGBT youth should be told, you know what, it’s ok! Sign it!
If you think advice on contraception is a decent idea for people who are having sex, Sign it!
If you think ALL people should know that yes means yes and no means no, Sign it!
Like this? You might also be interested in:
Fake Baby Sex Education Actually Causes Higher Teen Pregnancy Rates!
Yes, Sex Education Is Important, But Shouldn't We Be Given Love Lessons As Well?
Why Sex Education Needs To Cover The Pleasures Of Sex. Not Just The Dangers
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophwilkinson
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.