Barnardos have released a report 'Digital Dangers: the impact of technology on the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people'. A survey of young people found that almost half (48 per cent) living at home say their parents only know some of what they do online. The report highlights the need for, among other things, “Easier access to existing prevention resources and advice, including age-appropriate healthy relationships and sex education through schools”. Read the news article and report here
The House of Lords debated the effect of pornography on society and the role of PSHE education. Lord Farmer, Conservative Peer asked “Can the Minister inform the House about how schools are educating young people about relationships and warning them about the dangers to their physical and emotional health from consumption of porn?” Opposition whip Lord Collins of Highbury agreed that “good-quality, age-appropriate sex and relationships education is vital” and asked the Minister to update the House on progress in regards to responding to the Educate Select Committee’s recommendation to make PSHE statutory.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Baroness Shields responded by mentioning that the government have funded PSHE Association guidance on body image and consent and that “many schools choose to teach about the impact of pornography as part of the PSHE curriculum” pointing to relevant parts of the PSHE Association Programme of Study. Read the Hansard transcript here
A BBC3 documentary ‘Is this rape? Sex on trial’ uses a dramatized sexual scenario and rape trial to get a group of 24 teenagers and the general public to consider what they consider to constitute rape. Some experts have been critical of how the programme portrays the issues. The documentary is available on iPlayer here
A campaign calling for an increase in funding for mental health services in England has been launched by former mental health minister Norman Lamb, Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell and has gained numerous high profile signatories. In response to the campaign, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan added: “Mental health is a priority for the government and for me personally.” Read the BBC article here.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are inviting suggestions on how to improve the promotion of health and wellbeing in early years children. They are interested in receiving information on key areas for quality improvement, which 5 areas should be prioritised to improve the quality of care, which actions would improve these, and what emerging practice would be useful. Anyone wanting to submit evidence must first register as a stakeholder. Further information on how to register as a stakeholder and submit evidence can be found here
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