Block on compulsory sex ed puts kids at risk, says Wearside MP
A Wearside MP is the latest to speak out after a row erupted over sex education in schools.
Legislation to make lessons about sex, domestic violence and LGBT issues compulsory in schools has been rejected this week, as conservative MPs voted against the move in a public bill committee.
Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West and Shadow Minister for Public Health, fears it could make North East children vulnerable to thinks like social media dangers, grooming, child sexual exploitation and violent relationships. She said:
“There could be children at risk of grooming, at risk of violence in a relationship that could lead to death. Whereas if they had this education, if they felt more equipped and confident in dealing with that situation they might live to tell the tale.
“We do put children at risk when we don’t give them this information and knowledge.
“They’re living in a very different world to the one we grew up in. We’re not doing that at the moment with all this fear about what we should tell them and what we shouldn’t tell them we’re not doing them any favours by protecting them in this harmful way if you like.”
Meanwhile - Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird has joined the row, calling the move a "huge blow to common sense ".
For years Dame Vera has called on the Government to make age-appropriate sex and relationship education compulsory in order to help tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE), by educating young people on the illegality of abuse and instilling them with the confidence to report it.
Dame Vera, said:
"For a long time I have said that well-taught sex and relationship education is vital for the safety and well-being of every child and young person in the country and I see this as is a huge blow to common sense.
"At the end of last year the Government led us to believe that the issue was being made a priority matter for the Education Department, but they are now turning down an obvious opportunity to protect young people - it's senseless.
“Unfortunately sexting and sexual bullying have been on the rise for some time now and we need clear messages for young people – what is acceptable in relationships and what is not. This is about helping them make informed choices and learning to respect themselves as well as others.
"Educating young people about these issues must no longer be left to chance or to the individual discretion of school governors – it’s every child’s right and this is being denied by the Government."
Campaigners are aware of another stage where the legislation could be pursued further, when the Children and Social Work bill comes back to the House of Commons.