Make sex education mandatory, says Labour MP

PA Media

Relationships and sex education for 16 to 18-year-olds could be made mandatory in a bid to prevent violence against women and girls.

The Labour MP for Hitchin, Alistair Strathern, has been pressing the government for change and pledged to end a postcode lottery of provision for teenagers in further education, with the introduction of his private member's bill.

He said his draft law would extend the time school pupils are taught how to navigate complex issues in relationships and recognise coercive control and other forms of abuse.

"For too long, children in further education have missed out because of gaps in provision of relationships and sex education," Strathern said.

Strathern was drawn 14th in the private members' bills ballot. His draft legislation is due to be debated during Friday sittings in Parliament.

The MP, who is also co-chair of the Labour group for men and boys, continued: "At a time when the worst corners of the internet are preying on teenagers, with their own harmful takes on what makes a healthy relationship, we surely owe young people far better than this."

He said he hoped the bill would make it mandatory for all settings to give children space, support and advice.

"With 16 to 19-year-olds facing the highest rates of domestic abuse of any age group, the real-world consequences of failing to act couldn't be clearer," he added.

"Young people's exposure to extreme content online makes this legislation more important than ever."

'Reliable information'

The Relationships and Sex Education (Further Education Sector) Bill follows a petition by the survivor-led campaign group Make it Mandatory, which called for sex education to be mandated to 18 and gathered more than 106,000.

Faustine Petron, founder of Make it Mandatory, said: "As someone who experienced an abusive relationship I know how important such a change could be.

"We now need government to honour its commitment to me and the bereaved families who support this campaign by taking it forward and ensuring it becomes law, as we know all too well that it has the potential to change and save lives."

End Violence Against Women Coalition and the Sex Education Forum also welcomed the introduction of the Bill.

Lucy Emmerson, chief executive at the Sex Education Forum, said: "It makes complete sense to extend relationships and sex education to further education because this is the time when many young people will be starting their first romantic and sexual relationships.

"Having reliable information about healthy relationships provided by trusted adults is proven to help prevent harm.

"There is overwhelming support for mandating RSE [Relationship Sex Education] up to 18 years old, and this move is backed by leaders in education, safeguarding, health and wellbeing and by colleges and young people themselves."

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