Opinion: Ciara Lynch of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre says what is increasingly clear is that society needs to get real on sex education for children...
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL for Curriculum and Assessment recently published the updated Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum for Junior Cycle, covering sexual consent and healthy relationships as well as the potential impact of popular culture and the online world on young people.
A clear pathway The teachers and youth workers we train tell us that young people need solid information and support about what they are encountering in popular culture. The educators themselves want guidance and information on how to effectively teach and deal with such topics, due to gaps in the SPHE curriculum, in particular around RSE. So these reforms are long overdue.
The evidence is clear: In research from Youth Work Ireland’s ‘Positive Sexual Relationships’ Report in 2018, some 90% of young people reported that the internet was their most trusted source of information on healthy sexual relationships, with 20% of young people finding porn useful and a good source for relationship information.
Our research on consent shows that 70% of people believe there is a problem with consent in Ireland, and an overwhelming 84% support age-appropriate sex education in all schools. Further, if it is to be effective, we believe teachers and educators must be adequately supported, trained, and resourced to deliver this content.
Worryingly, younger people report a higher rate than older people, at 52% of those aged 18-24 years. Younger men aged 18-24 experienced sexual violence in their lifetime at almost double the rate of those men aged 65 and over . It’s the same for younger women and older women .
It is clear that we as a society should offer proper formation on this issue: an accurate, informed, age-appropriate curriculum, given adequate time, adequate teacher training, and adequate resources in order to ensure it is delivered to every young person nationwide, to the highest standard possible.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New 500-seat theatre for Dublin being considered to address dearth of large performance spacesThe project has the working title of the City Theatre of Tomorrow and a feasibility study is being undertaken to see if it would be profitable and whether it would have an impact on existing venues.
Read more »
O'Gara: 'It was easy to jump ship today. We’re worthy champions'Ronan O’Gara reflects on a famous win for his La Rochelle side in Dublin.
Read more »
Kilkenny close in on Leinster final return with victory over DublinSix unanswered second-half points steered Kilkenny to victory and cemented their place in the Leinster Championship top three.
Read more »
Leinster rue early lead as La Rochelle win the Champions CupIt was a trilling clash in Dublin this afternoon
Read more »
Kilkenny have to work hard to see off Dublin in Leinster hurling championshipKilkenny have to work hard to see off Dublin in Leinster hurling championship via IrishTimesSport
Read more »