PSHE association welcomes Parliamentary inquiry on sexual harassment in schools

The PSHE Association welcomes today's announcement of an inquiry into sexual harassment in schools by the Commons Women and Equalities Committee. The announcement was accompanied by a report from the young people's organisation Fixers, which explores attitudes to sexual harassment in schools amongst current and former pupils and recommends improved education on sex and relationships, as well as linked issues such as alcohol and drug use.

PSHE Association Chief Executive Joe Hayman said:

"We welcome today's announcement and the report from Fixers on a crucial issue relating to children's safety and wellbeing at school. The report references urgent improvements which young people are seeking in respect of their sex and relationships education, in order to ensure all pupils learn how to keep themselves and others safe. Their calls for improved PSHE provision are backed by 91% of parents and 88% of teachers as well as the Children's Commissioner, the national police lead for child sexual exploitation, the Chief Medical Officer, Public Health England, two Royal societies, five leading teaching unions, six Royal medical colleges and 100 expert bodies including the NSPCC, Barnardo's, the Association of Independent LSCB Chairs, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Children's Society."

"We were delighted when Maria Miller, the chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee recently joined the chairs of the Education, Health, Home Affairs and Business, Innovation and Skills Committees in calling for statutory status for PSHE education. Now we call for government to listen to parliamentarians, parents and pupils and give PSHE education the status it deserves. As the Fixers report makes clear, the safety of children and young people depends on it."