Rape and sex education

Actually, linking this back to the topic, I have also dealt with rape victims who have not informed their parents. I can help them access counselling and, if they decide to in the end, tell their parents with them.

I'm sure it wouldn't make me very popular with some. I can only hope that I am doing the right thing. It's easy to second guess yourself.

sighing that kind of story makes me boil! It is interesting though. We discussed this very issue as a pastoral care team. One or two felt that 'they would want to know as a parent'. I feel equally strongly that young people are entitled to privacy.

Sadly, I hear of many parents who react in exactly the way their children fear if news of sex gets back to them.

Our guidance is that you MUST inform the child protection coordinator if you think the child is at immediate risk or is putting themselves in repeated harm. Coming to tell me they got drunk and had sex at a party doesn't class as immediate harm. The one major issue is when they wait until Monday morning to say they had unprotected sex on Friday and need the morning after pill. The clock is ticking but we are not allowed to let them out of school. If you prevent them from going and they become pregnant you could be causing harm.

there is basically none except basic biology and dont have sex/get pregnant messages in SS school.

I dont think it can be taught in schools at the moment, there isnt the commitment from schools and the standard of sex ed various immensely, there is basically none except basic biology and dont have sex/get pregnant messages.

There was a couple in SS school who became the talk of the school after the RE teacher (also PSE) decided them having consensual sex (both 15), was a child protection issue and involved 3 sets of parent (boys parents were divorced), this being despite the fact it was fully consensual on both sides and neither party wanted their parents involved.

There wasnt a teen left in that year group who had an ounce of respect for the teachers or who would have confided in teachers if they were in need of help.

Until teachers are allowed to put aside their own moral judgements and views on teenage sexuality, then I think it becomes a dangerous topic - there is far too much potential for damage.

Me, garlic? Not at all!

I teach in one school in Scotland. I am also one teacher. I know that I have peers who will approach lessons differently. As an example, we teach online safety using CEOP's Think U Know materials. When being trained the distinction between pornography and child abuse is made
Completely clear - pornography is not for everyone but is perfectly legal. Child abuse is abuse. Therefore child pornography is not a 'thing'. Calling it child pornography makes it sound like it's just a matter of taste.

This point has been laboured endlessly to ensure teachers delivering use the correct language. I know that sometimes, some well-meaning teachers still slip into talking about child pornography.

I consider myself luck that I haven't had a complaint about my lessons. I stand by every single thing I teach but I do understand that some parents might be really worried of their child was to tell them some lesson content out of context.

'I may not want to think about the sort of people who'd be attracted to a role that focused on sex education for teenagers.'

You mean like feminists?

Oh dear, that was an embarrassing cross-post, crisps. Sorry

PSHE needs proper investment. Teachers usually get little training or support and sometimes don't even want to teach it but are made to because it fits with their timetable. It is not valued by pupils or schools, yet it possibly one of the most important subjects on the curriculum.

Rape myths should be taught for sure, I wish I had been taught them. I will never forget the shock when I found out that most women are raped by someone they knew.

I lol-ed a bit at your iChat stand, Stewie!

I'm looking forward to seeing the commercial and am delighted Clegg's launched it with a clear, logical statement (makes a change ...)

I agree that current teaching on abuse awareness, personal boundaries, respect and safety should be extended to include sexual scenarios. I also think there should be more of it. I'm not sure about needing specialist providers; don't they do most of this stuff from supplied materials anyway?

I may not want to think about the sort of people who'd be attracted to a role that focused on sex education for teenagers.

I should have said that I received specialist sex, health and relationships education training. We only teach PSE if we work in pastoral care. I do share concerns about some of the types of lessons I deliver being led my someone with spaces to fill on their timetable.

I teach sex ed to all year groups in secondary school. We teach it from an emptional and physical angle. We also do lessons about relationships, power, assertiveness and control. As we move up into about S3 (14) we link the two and discuss attitudes, beliefs, the law and consequences. We talk explicitly about rape, definitions and debate any 'gray' areas which might exist in the eyes of the kids.

I have never had a parent raise concerns about the lesson content. I also teach my own caseload for pastoral care so I generally will be aware of there is a young person who has been impacted upon. In fact all lessons start by repeating lesson values which include acknowledging that everyone brings their own experiences to the lessons.

School nurse can do the mechanics of the explanation, but many would struggle to debunk rape myths without extra training and a willingness to learn a new approach.
Some schools have an excellent PSHCE curriculum that covers these areas, but universal high quality of lessons is still a way off.

The basis is surely with good touch/bad touch which can be started a a very young age (dd2 was 4 when it was first approached with her via a SS referral). This can then be built upon as they grow older and learn more culminating in ANY unwanted sexual attention.

Or what Chiba said ^^

As for who does it, surely larger schools can afford to have one member of staff "trained up" and if not, or in smaller schools, there must be outside agencies who can step in - or the school nurse?

We were taught about rape in PSE at about 13, in fact we debated it eg 'is a short skirt inviting it?', 'what if consent is withdrawn during the act?' - was a great opportunity for the teacher to debunk the various myths and misogynistic attitudes that inevitably arose. My school was wonderful though, we were also taught about body image, self respect, social justice etc.

' Do you think parents would welcome their children being taught about rape?'

I think that's one of the biggest hurdles to get over in schools. which is why I'd like to see it as part of a course on relationships, sexual health, contraception and spotting red flags in an abusive relationship. And what your options are, places to get help and advice.
Taught by a specialist.

Quick answer?

No I don't think they would.

I saw the advert talked about in the link - it was very good IIRC.