We demand a timeline for Government's decision on compulsory SRE

Published 29 November 2016

After yet another missed opportunity to introduce compulsory sex and relationships education (SRE) in all primary and secondary schools in the UK, the Women’s Equality Party demanded the Government set out a timeline for a final decision on the issue.

WEP’s call came as the Government published its response to the Women and Equalities Committee report into sexual harassment and sexual violence in school, which called for compulsory SRE.

“The Women and Equalities Committee report couldn’t have made clearer the need for compulsory SRE as a means of tackling endemic levels of harassment and violence in our schools,” said WEP leader Sophie Walker. “A third of girls aged 16-18 have experienced ‘unwanted touching’ at school, and almost two thirds of girls aged between 13 to 21 have faced some form of sexual harassment. The Government is letting girls and young women down.”

In its response, the Government stated that it was keeping compulsory SRE ‘actively under review’.

“This weekend, we held our first party conference in Manchester, during which the protection of women and girls from violence and harassment was top of the agenda," said party leader Sophie Walker. “We reaffirmed our call for mandatory SRE, and our delegates voted to add counselling support to SRE provision in order to combat the damaging impact of sexual violence and bullying in schools.”

“It is time the Government took its responsibilities to protect girls and young women seriously. We demand a timeline of its review process on this issue, and the date at which it will make a final decision on SRE. Our daughters and granddaughters cannot wait any longer.”