Today’s lesson, children... sex at 13 (but don’t worry about getting caught)
Critics say guidelines effectively suggest ‘lower age of consent’
PUPILS should not worry about breaking the law if they have sex at 13, according to lesson plans drawn up for Scottish schools.
One module in new teaching materials aimed at students aged 12 to 14 addresses the age of consent. It explains that sex under the age of 16 is illegal, but also states that children having sex at 13 need not worry about being reported.
Critics say that the new lessons – drawn up with the backing of the NHS, local authorities and the Scottish Government – suggested that the age of consent had effectively been lowered to 13.
Campaign for Real Education chairman Chris McGovern said: ‘The intention of this draft resource is, in effect, to lower the age of consent without a change in legislation. This bypasses parliament and is an affront to democracy.
‘The perpetrators should be brought to account for attempting to subvert the law of the land.’
The draft Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) resource has been drawn up as part of a review ordered by the Government. It is now online for schools which want to use it and is set to be finalised by next Easter.
Research suggests that – despite what the law says – many young people engage in under-age sexual activity and see it as normal.
In the latest draft material, pupils learn the age of consent is 16 and that those under 13 are too young to consent to sexual activity.
They are taught that if someone aged 16 or over has sex with a 13, 14 or 15-year-old, then the older person is breaking the law.
The RSHP also makes it clear that prosecution is possible if both parties are under age, stating: ‘If you are both aged 13, 14 or 15 and having sex, then you or your partner, or both of you might be at risk of being prosecuted.’
However, it adds that it is ‘very unusual’ for them to be prosecuted ‘if both young people are happy’.
Another section on ‘The law/some concerns’ says: ‘This law is really to protect young people from adults, not make them feel worried or frightened.’
However, Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust, said: ‘Schools that follow this ill-advised resource will be giving children the impression that engaging in sexual activity under the age of 16 is no big deal. Such messages leave young teenage girls vulnerable to predatory male approaches.’
The Scottish Government last night denied the new material undermined the law. A spokesman said: ‘The age of consent is 16, it will remain 16 and it is wholly misleading to suggest otherwise.
‘The Scottish Government – in line with established practice across Europe – encourages young people to delay sexual activity until they are ready and encourages them to practise safe sex if they do become sexually active.’
The spokesman said the material was at the draft stage and teachers would be free to use it or not, if and when it was finalised.