The case for this is overwhelming. Research by Women’s Aid shows 50% of 16-18 year olds wouldn’t know where to go to get support if affected by domestic abuse and 18% were unsure or didn’t believe slapping counted as domestic violence. YouGov found almost a third of 16-18-year-old girls say they have been subjected to unwanted sexual touching at school and the NSPCC found that a third of girls in relationships aged 13-17 have experienced physical or sexual violence in relationships, while one in 16 of this group reported experiencing rape. Ofsted highlights the continued poor quality of sex education provision in the UK and the Children’s Commissioner has expressed her concerns about children’s increased exposure to sexualised imagery.

With the support of Women’s Aid, Equals, End Violence Against Women, Everyday Sexism, Brook, No More Page 3, the PHSE Association, the Terence Higgins Trust, NSPCC and the Family Planning Association and Brook we are tabling New Clause 20 to the Children and Families Bill. This would make age appropriate sex and relationship education statutory at all stages of the curriculum for both boys and girls. At present the Government plans to teach children about compound interest and composting. We believe its time we also taught them about consent and respect too.

Please use the text below to ask your MP to support NC20 on Tuesday 11 June. You can find their contact details here. Please share this with a friend to ask them to do the same. For more details on the issue and the campaign read our campaign briefing.

One Billion Rising helped us to put tackling violence against women on the British political agenda- Together we can make every school a safer place for all!

Stella Creasy
Labour and Co-operative MP for Walthamstow on behalf of OBRUK
Shadow Home Affairs Minister

ps. You can also help the campaign by sharing your support for this on social media using the #Yes2NC20 tag!

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Draft text to cut and paste into an email to send to your MP

“I’m writing to you to ask you as my local MP to vote for New Clause 20 of the Children and Families Bill which will make relationship education a statutory part of the national curriculum on Tuesday 11 June 2013.

At the moment, sex education is compulsory on the National Curriculum, but this focuses primarily on the mechanics and biology of sex as well as good sexual health. We want to put the R into sex education. Whilst families play a key role in mentoring children to overcome these cultural and social pressures, high quality sex and relationship education delivered to both boys and girls is also a vital tool in equipping and empowering young people to cope with the challenges and pressures they face. This should be grounded in a zero tolerance approach to violence against women and girls that is reinforced throughout schools from the curriculum to behaviour policies. Making SRE part of the curriculum would also guarantee standardised materials and resources being made available for teacher training, improving quality.

Recent research by Women’s Aid and Avon found that 50% of 16-18 year olds wouldn’t know where to go to get support if affected by domestic abuse and 18% were unsure or didn’t believe slapping counted as domestic violence. A YouGov poll in 2010 found that almost a third of 16-18-year-old girls say they have been subjected to unwanted sexual touching at school, and the NSPCC found that a third of girls in relationships aged 13-17 have experienced physical or sexual violence in relationships, while one in 16 of this group reported experiencing rape.

Ofsted highlights the continued poor quality of sex education provision in the UK the Children’s Commissioner has expressed her concerns about children’s increased exposure to sexualised imagery. It’s time we ensure all our young people have the support to form healthy and respectful relationships with their peers. After all, if children can be made to learn about compound interest and now compost through the new national curriculum, why not consent? Please vote yes to New Clause 20 to the children and families bill.

I look forward to hearing from you and that you have supported NC20 – thank –you for reading my email,”

A coalition of women’s rights, education, child protection, sexual healthcare and young people’s campaign organisations today launched a pop up campaign to give backing to plans to amend the Children and Families Bill to make sex and relationship education a part of the National Curriculum

Following on from the One Billion Rising Campaign and widespread concerns about the sexual harassment and abuse of young people, Labour Shadow ministers Lisa Nandy, Sharon Hodgson and Stella Creasy have tabled a new clause to the bill to ensure relationship education is taught in schools. Shadow Home affairs minister Stella Creasy said:

“For too long now we’ve had warm words but no action on improving sex and relationship education in our schools, despite repeated calls for all boys and girls get these lessons. When we’re teaching children about compost and compound interest but not consent something has to change. Sexual harassment, violence and abuse affects millions of young people in Britain –that’s why we have to teach them not only about the biology of sex but to respect each other and have healthy relationships. This coalition shows just how many parents, domestic violence and sexual health charities agree as well as young people themselves. Hoping schools will do this isn’t good enough – its time to put consent on the curriculum”

Shadow Education Minister Lisa Nandy said:

“Recent research by the Children’s Commissioner found a shocking number of young people don’t know what a good relationship looks like. This should be a wake up call that we are simply not doing enough to keep children safe. Education is vital to help young people protect themselves from harm. Child abuse is sickening but it is not inevitable and we have a duty to prevent it. Children have a right to expect that from their Government.”

Women’s Aid Ambassador Jahmene Douglas said:

“As the Ambassador for Children and Young People at Women’s Aid I feel passionately that young people should be taught about healthy relationships in school, and that we need to do this if we are ever going to reduce the amount of domestic violence. Following the debate in Parliament in February this Bill presents the Government with a great opportunity to ensure that all children have access to the good quality sex and relationship education they need and are asking for.”

Laura Bates, the Campaigner behind the Everyday Sexism Project said:

“The huge number of stories the Everyday Sexism Project has received from children and teenagers shows beyond doubt that there is an urgent need for far greater information and support to be provided in schools. Many of the young people who contact us are confused and scared about sex they have seen videos shared online or on mobile phones. Others have reported the far end of the playground being called “the rape corner” and young people saying “rape is a compliment really” in classroom discussions. It is time to ensure this most vital of topics is properly covered by the national curriculum”

New Clause 20 of the Children and Families bill will come before parliament on Tuesday 11 June 2013. This campaign has the support of Womens Aid, End Violence Against Women, Brook, Family Planning Association, NSPCC, The PSHE Association, National Union of Students, No More Page3, Everyday Sexism , the EQUALS coalition and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Ends.

1. This campaign is formally supported by Womens Aid, End Violence Against Women, Brook, Family Planning Association, NSPCC, The PSHE Association, No More Page3, National Union of Students, Everyday Sexism , the EQUALS coalition and the Terrence Higgins Trust. Mumsnet will also be promoting this campaign and willing to give quotes.
2. Research by Women’s Aid shows 50% of 16-18 year olds wouldn’t know where to go to get support if affected by domestic abuse and 18% were unsure or didn’t believe slapping counted as domestic violence. YouGov found almost a third (29%) of 16-18-year-old girls say they have been subjected to unwanted sexual touching at school[1], and the NSPCC found that a third of girls in relationships aged 13-17 have experienced physical or sexual violence in relationships, while one in 16 of this group reported experiencing rape[2].
3. Polls consistently show overwhelming support amongst parents, the public and students for compulsory SRE at secondary level in particular. NAHT poll of parents http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/news-and-media/key-topics/parents-and-pupils/parents-want-schools-to-manage-dangers-of-pornography-says-survey/ and EVAW poll  http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/98/womens-groups-urge-pm-to-take-urgent-action-to-prevent-abuse
4. The Deputy Children’s Commissioner’s recent report on children’s access to porn found that it is widely available and that there is a clear correlation with harmful attitudes and behaviours. There are clear gender differences, with girls feeling much more uncomfortable when they are exposed to porn, and boys more willingly seeking it out. The report recommended that “The Department for Education should ensure that all schools understand the importance of, and deliver, effective relationship and sex education which must include safe use of the internet. A strong and unambiguous message to this effect should be sent to all education providers including: all state funded schools including academies; maintained schools; independent schools; faith schools; and further education colleges.” http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_667
5. EVAWs report Deeds or Words? developed with experts on violence against women found that education policy was a weak link in government work on preventing abuse and called for compulsory SRE, amongst other measures. http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/Deeds_or_Words_Report.pdf
6. Ofsted recently found that PSHE is not good enough in a substantial proportion of schools and that this is leaving young people vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/not-yet-good-enough-personal-social-health-and-economic-education-schools
7. The Government recently announced plans to put gardening on national curriculum http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/school_meals/article1251936.ece and to put personal financial education on curriculum http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/9855051/Personal-finance-education-to-be-compulsory.html
8. New Clause 20 will be debated on Tuesday 11 June 2013 as part of the Children and Families Bill in the House of Commons. The Report stage of the Children and Families Bill will be on Tuesday 11 June 2013. This bill covers a mixture of legal issues around children and young people including adoption, care and education. Labour has tabled amendments to this Bill which would ensure that all schools provide sex and relationship education for all students. If the amendment is passed it will go to The House of Lords to be debated as part of the wider Bill including passage through Committee.
9. The One Billion Rising Campaign brought the following motion to parliament which secured cross party support for the issue:

“That this House notes the One Billion Rising Campaign, and the call to end violence against women and girls; and calls on the Government to support this by introducing statutory provisions to make personal, social and health education, including a zero tolerance approach to violence and abuse in relationships, a requirement in schools.”http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130214/debtext/130214-0002.htm#13021465000001

Full text of the proposed New Clause 20 can be read here

Reacting to the news that Bolton Wanderers has now ended its relationship with Quickquid and  will be supported by a local company from the area instead of the legal loan shark, Stella Creasy MP said;

“It is great news that Bolton Wanderers has listened to local residents and people around the country in saying no thanks to these legal loan sharks. They join Sheffield Wednesday in showing they care for the communities where they are based and don’t want to promote such toxic credit to their fans. Every week we see further evidence that the high cost credit industry is out of control in Britain – causing problems for millions of families who are struggling to cope with rising fuel, housing and food bills and so take out these loans to make ends meet, only to find the extortionate levels of interest and fees charged push them further into debt.

Our message to all football clubs is louder now than ever before. Even if the Government and other organisations within football won’t act to reform the way this industry works in Britain, we will speak up to make sure that our football grounds are legal loan shark free. We want British consumers to be given the same protections that others around the world enjoy. It’s no surprise that Quick Quid and other legal loan sharks are targetting communities like Bolton when 1 in 5 payday customers are in the North West but this community supported by their MPs and councillors have shown we will not stand by as they target our communities.  Its time all football governance bodies showed such leadership – we’re asking football fans  across the country to get involved in the Sharkstoppers campaign and make sure we give the red card to legal loan sharks in the beautiful game.

“I’m not surprised Bolton Wanderer’s fans are furious that legal loan sharks are trying to take over their club- these companies are preying on cash strapped families offering loans at extortionate rates of interest that all too often lead to more debt and more problems. With 80% of loans being taken out for basics such as food, electricity, housing or heating costs, it’s clear many Brits find there is just too much month at the end of their money. But the targeting of Bolton by this company is not accidental as research shows 1 in 5 payday loans are taken out in the North West. With Bolton’s decision to welcome the support of Quick Quid and that Sheffield Wednesday turned down a similar offer only shows that these companies are not seeking to support football – but simply find new markets.

Evidence from the Citizens Advice Bureau proves yet again that this industry is out of control and the Office of Fair Trading is seeking to report the entire industry to the Competition Commission because they are so concerned at their behaviour. Yet they continue to treat customers appallingly-  even today Quick Quid is carrying adverts on their Twitter account encouraging people to use a payday lender to cover the cost of going to the doctors or the dentist.

That’s why we are asking concerned fans and local residents to support the petition to tell Bolton Wanderers to say no to legal loansharking, and back the #Sharkstoppers campaign in reporting adverts that don’t carry an APR or target vulnerable people to trading standards and to the OFT. Even if the Government and the club owners still refuse to listen, we can still take action to send a Red Card to payday lenders in football.”

Neither a borrower nor a lender be – but for many staying out of debt is becoming nigh on impossible.  Who knows this the best? The legal loan sharks profiting from the squeeze austerity Britain is experiencing. They crow they have “intelligent financially-savvy consumers who are making critical, proactive and positive financial decisions every day to help them live within their means whilst coping with the varied challenges of the post-credit crunch era”

The Citizens Advice Bureau tells a very different story. They deal with the fallout of a country where companies offering loans with rates of 4,000% and more cover every town centre and dominate internet and mobile phone advertising.  Their experience is of an ‘out of control industry’ lending to those under 18, with mental health issues or even drunk at the time of application. Of 90% of lenders not doing basic credit checks and the harassment of borrowers both to extend loans and repay. Of widespread fraud and little concern for the consequences of debt on those they target.

In March the Office of Fair Trading announced it was warning the top fifty payday lenders about their conduct, with the threat they could remove their trading license. Nearly four months on just two have upped sticks, and most deny anything is amiss. The OFT has little power to challenge this, and as one closes down more open up, attracted by Britain’s lax regulation and the profits to be made. The new Financial Conduct Authority freely admits it will take several years before its new tougher powers could bring this industry to heel. Despite review after review, recommendation after recommendation, this industry continues to fall out of the grip of regulators – and through its complacency our Government is helping them bleed Britain dry.

Not everyone who borrows using a payday loan gets into difficulties, but enough do as a result of the terms of the loan that the industry is now making billions. Despite paying off an average of £355 in 2011, each household still has around £7,900 in unsecured debt – leaving UK consumers amongst the most indebted in the world. We are a nation living not just on debt, but debts that cause debt. Three million missed a credit card payment in the last year and two million a council tax payment.  Each missed credit card payment incurs an average charge of £12 and a missed utility bill payment at least £26.

These default charges pale into comparison against the consequences of rolling over a payday loan – little wonder some customers can start with a £100 loan and end up owing £17,000. R3 predict five million to have to use such credit in 2013. Yet one in three of these loans are being used to pay off another payday loan – showing how using this credit often creates a spiral of debt. Many know such loans are toxic but have little alternative. Research by Which? shows half of all borrowers who have taken out a payday loan knew they couldn’t repay – with 57% missing payments as a result.

Meanwhile pockets and purses remain pressed. Fuel prices have increased by 44% in five years, average rail tickets have gone up nearly 3 times faster than average incomes and housing costs are forecast to rise by 19%. These are not just problems for 2013- the debts being stored up as people borrow to keep going will affect generations to come. Half of payday loan customers are under 34 and have incomes of less than £20,000 a year. Without intervention on both the cost of living and the cost of credit, Britain could become a nation of zombie debtors- paying the interest, but never the capital, on arrears and so permanently in hock.

The failure of Government to act speaks volumes about their understanding of what really matters for the public. For three years many have been trying to warn they needed to protect cash strapped Brits from these companies. That we should learn from most other countries who cap the costs of credit and require real time credit checking, so limiting irresponsible behaviour within this industry. As the Government continue to resist such measures yet protest they are getting tough, those struggling with debts and being harassed by these companies will know such promises ring hollow.

A version of this article appeared in The Guardian on Wednesday 29th May 2013.