Wales expert panel strongly recommends inclusive Sex and Relationships Education is made compulsory – Terrence Higgins Trust response

IN THE REPORT, THE EXPERT PANEL STATES: “Making SRE in the new curriculum statutory is essential for ensuring that children and young people in Wales have access to high quality SRE. Without this legislative change it is clear that SRE will remain a low priority for schools, be narrowly conceived, and where children and young people’s rights, needs, questions and concerns are not sought or met and where sex, gender, sexuality and relationship inequalities and inequities remain unchallenged and endure.”

CERI DUNSTAN, POLICY AND CAMPAIGNS OFFICER AT TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST IN WALES, SAID: “We welcome the expert panel’s strong recommendation to make inclusive Sex and Relationships Education compulsory in the new Welsh curriculum. We hope the Welsh Government takes these recommendations forward as a matter of urgency.

“SRE is a fundamental right of all young people and must be made compulsory in Wales if we are going to tackle the growing sexual and mental health crises among young people and tackle high rates of STIs and lack of information in our schools for LGBT young people.

“We have long campaigned for statutory SRE in schools and we are clear that it has to be LGBT inclusive. It must also focus on the positive aspects of sex and relationships to ensure that all young people are equipped with the confidence and awareness to develop healthy relationships, practice safe sex, and understand their sexuality.”