The pressing need for consent education in schools has never been more evident. Evidence of on-going societal misogyny and rising numbers of sexual offences, including rape offences, in England and Wales (ONS, 2023) underscore the urgency of addressing these issues head-on.
Effective consent education can play a pivotal role in changing the narrative, fostering respect, and reducing sexual violence.
In this article, I would like to delve into the necessity of consent education, highlighting findings from recent reports, and outlining strategies for integrating this critical topic into your school curriculum.
A crisis in consent education
In recent years, media narratives and societal attitudes have significantly affected the implementation of effective sex education, particularly concerning consent.
Opinion pieces in national media too often dismiss sex education as irrelevant, conflating it with contentious issues such as gender identity. This negative portrayal has tangible consequences.
A 2023 report by the children’s commissioner for England highlighted that the challenges schools face in delivering effective sex education have led many students to turn to social media platforms like TikTok for information. The Sex Education Forum found something similar in its annual report earlier this year – namely that a fifth of young people said that their main source of information about pornography was social media and other websites, while 14% said the same when it came to consent (SEF, 2024).
At the same time, the children’s commissioner’s report points out the alarming increase in young people normalising sexual violence, influenced by the prevalence of online pornography.
Pornography and misogyny
The influence of online pornography on young people's attitudes towards sex and consent cannot be overstated. The children’s commissioner’s report emphasised that platforms aiming to maximise user engagement often push increasingly extreme content. This exposure leads to distorted perceptions of sexual relationships and consent.
A particularly disturbing finding from the children’s commissioner report reveals that almost half of young people aged 16 to 21 believe that girls expect sex to involve physical aggression, with 42% stating that girls enjoy such acts. These statistics illustrate the critical need for comprehensive consent education that counters these harmful beliefs and promotes healthy, respectful relationships.
Sexual violence and gender
No matter how uncomfortable it is for people to hear, it is factually accurate to say that sexual violence is predominantly a male problem. The children’s commissioner notes that 97% of children referred to harmful sexual behaviour support services in the UK were male. What’s more, 92% of children accused of child sexual abuse were male.
This highlights the importance of addressing the normalisation of male power and sexual aggression in preventing harmful sexual behaviour.
Despite the sensitive nature of these discussions, it is crucial not to generalise or treat all males as potential predators. Instead, education should focus on fostering respect and understanding, emphasising the unacceptability of violence and coercion in any form.
Schools and consent education
Schools play a vital role in addressing these issues. The children’s commissioner report recommends high-quality relationships, sex, and health education (RSHE) as essential. This includes training teachers through programmes such as an NVQ in RSHE to ensure they are well prepared to handle sensitive topics. Additionally, schools should have comprehensive policies to prevent sexual harassment and violence, including online abuse.
The now infamous Ofsted report of 2021 underlined the endemic nature of sexual harassment and violence in schools, emphasising the need for educational institutions to take proactive measures.
Schools must create a culture where sexual harassment and online abuse are not tolerated, and issues are identified and addressed early.
Moving forward
First, implementing robust policies to prevent and address sexual harassment and violence in schools is critical for creating a safe learning environment. These policies should be clear, comprehensive, and consistently enforced.
Schools must establish procedures for reporting and responding to incidents, ensuring that all reports are taken seriously and handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Prevention strategies, such as awareness campaigns and peer education programmes, can help change attitudes and reduce incidents.
Regularly reviewing and updating policies ensures they reflect new insights and best practices.
Second, embedding comprehensive consent education into the school curriculum is crucial for fostering a culture of respect and understanding from an early age. This education should cover the basics of consent and delve into healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and mutual respect.
The curriculum should be age-appropriate, starting with simple concepts in early years and incorporating more complex discussions as students mature. Integrating consent education across various subjects can reinforce these principles, making them a natural part of students' everyday thinking.
Today, the need for effective consent education is critical and schools play a crucial role in this effort. By addressing these issues head-on, we can work towards a society where respect and consent are foundational values, ultimately reducing sexual violence and equipping young people to live happy, healthy and respectful relationships.
- Luke Ramsden is senior deputy head of St Benedict's School and chair of trustees for The Schools Consent Project, a charity which works to normalise conversations about consent in order to encourage safe, healthy interactions and reduce the likelihood of young people experiencing – or perpetrating – sexual harm. For more information about the charity’s work, visit www.schoolsconsentproject.com
Further information & resources
- Children’s commissioner for England: Evidence on pornography's influence on harmful sexual behaviour among children, 2023: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/pornography-and-harmful-sexual-behaviour
- Ofsted: Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, 2021: www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges
- ONS: Sexual offences in England and Wales overview, 2023: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/sexualoffencesinenglandandwalesoverview/march2022
- SEF: Young people’s RSE poll, 2024: www.sexeducationforum.org.uk/resources/evidence/young-peoples-rse-poll-2024