Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Sex education

Petition

Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (17:54): I rise to speak on a petition that I tabled regarding sex education in schools. Earlier this year I was lucky to be able to meet with Steph and Anji, two young people behind the newly formed Youth Against Sexual Violence Australia. Steph and Anji are campaigning for better sex education in schools, and on behalf of Steph, Anji and 2047 other young Victorians I tabled e-petition 318 asking for compulsory, holistic sex education in schools.

While schools have to run mandatory sex education, the actual delivery of sex education programs leaves much to be desired. It is often inconsistent across schools, with some schools offering extensive programs and others doing the bare minimum. It tends to be delivered in one block instead of holistically across subjects and year levels, and often fails to cover consent education and LGBTQIA+ sex education or to include students with a disability.

There is also no real training or standard for teachers on how to deliver sex education in schools. Our young people know we can do better and are campaigning for more holistic sex education in schools and better training for teachers. Comprehensive and well taught sex education, including the concept of consent, is an integral part of addressing sexual violence in our community. I am pleased to support their petition and encourage the government to work with young people and youth organisations to improve sex and relationships education in our schools.