Latest from Jocelyn Anderson, CEO, West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) as part of a regular column in the Worcester News.
LAST month Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood, spoke in parliament about her belief that, as a mother of a primary school child, she does not want any primary school children to have sex education. She does not want them to learn about sex, whether that is straight or gay. She said that we need to protect their innocence and childhood.
I would suggest that her view is at best naive and at worst dangerously ill-informed. Dangerous because as an MP she could potentially be able to make decisions on education within schools.
In an ideal world children would be safe from harm and free to develop and enjoy their childhood unfettered. The reality for some is that it is dangerous, traumatic and abusive. Some will be in households where domestic abuse and sexual violence are commonplace. Some will live in fear for themselves or their family members. One in four women will experience domestic abuse, one in six children will be sexually abused before they are 16.
We live in a sexualised society — consider some of the pop videos, lyrics and games children see and hear from a young age. While we can’t protect them from everything we can educate and empower them to make informed choices.
Our early intervention and prevention team, Purple Leaf, works in schools across West Mercia. The Purple Leaf programme considers issues such as consent, healthy relationships, sexting and grooming through games and discussion. It explains their body belongs to them, that they have rights and boundaries and how to tell a safe, trusted adult if anything makes them feel upset or worried. It gives children information and the ability to ask questions in a safe environment with specialist professionals and access to support services.
Wouldn’t you rather give a child the opportunity to know how and where to get help if they need it rather than keep them in the dark? Give them the opportunity to recognise that what has happened to them is wrong, not their fault and they are not to blame?
Or would you rather go along with Andrea Jenkyns and potentially leave them confused, abused and without any support?
Education is key, knowledge is power, and we know that a simple conversation can make a big difference.
If you need support, please contact us via our website: www.wmrsasc.org.uk
See the article here: https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24278548.latest-west-mercia-rape-sexual-abuse-support-centre/