Stella Creasy MP has discussed the need for better Sex Education and spoke about examples of why young people need it more so than ever.
She was speaking at National Student Pride at the University of Westminster on February 25th on the Attitude Sex Education Panel.
During the panel, Creasy spoke about the desperate need for Sex Education, going on to explain that ‘Jimmy Saville should teach us that exploitation of young people has been around for decades’.
“There’s been a general acceptance that we do need to change this but a reluctance to actually get on and change it”
“Jimmy Saville should teach us that exploitation of young people has been around for decades”
“You can be the best parent in the world, but if your kid is walking into a playground or using a chat room where other people haven’t been taught to value consent or value equality then they are just at risk”
“I remember waking up as someone waved a female condom in front of my face. I haven’t looked at a plastic bag the same way since.”
“Don’t just hashtag it. Go and talk about it.”
“Something is going very badly wrong in how we are supporting young people in making the best choices about their bodies, about their relationships.”
The topic was discussed alongside Olly Alexander, Chair of the panel Cliff Joannou, Deborah Gold of National Aids Trust and Head of Education at Diversity Role models Gemma Curtis.
On the level of need for better sex education, Creasey explained that it was ‘very badly wrong’ that we’re not supporting young people. As a personal example, she shared a story of how after being introduced to a female condom for the first time she ‘hasn’t looked at a plastic bag the same since’.
The panel talked about people’s efforts to get better Sex Education and Stella Creasey went on to agree that whilst there is ‘a general acceptance’ that we do need Sex Education, however, unfortunately, there is a ‘reluctance to actually get on and change it’.
In a more comical moment, she also spoke about female condoms, explaining that after being shown one for the first time she ‘hasn’t looked at a plastic bag the same way since’.
In an important piece of advice to young people, she explained “Don’t just hashtag it. Go and talk about it”.
Stella Creasy is currently campaigning on amendments to the Children and Social Work Bill going through parliament.
