Time to teach children about sex?

Should sex and relationships education be compulsory in UK schools?

Campaigners are making a fresh call for sex and relationships education (SRE) to become a compulsory subject in all state schools.

The new campaign comes in the wake of a number of reports warning that sex and relationships education is not up to scratch in many schools, resulting in growing fears among parents.

Children are increasingly exposed to pornography, sexual images and sexual bullying, which could leave them open to exploitation and inappropriate behaviour.

The Sex Education Forum’s chair, Jane Lees, said: “For too long young people have been telling us about what they wish they had learnt in school about consent and relationships and how better knowledge of their body and sexual health facts could have kept them safer and healthier.

“Young people need to be given an understanding of both sex and relationships, including the confidence to say no. If we want young people to make good decisions about sex, we need to give them the skills and encouragement to do so.”