Mandatory Education on Domestic Abuse and Coercive Behavior Needed for Sixth Form and College Students

As a 16-year-old, Faustine Petron found herself trapped in a coercive relationship with a fellow college student. Reflecting on the lack of education and resources available for teenagers between 16 and 18, Petron now calls for mandatory education on domestic abuse and coercive behavior for sixth form and college students. Current compulsory sex education ends when pupils finish their GCSEs at the age of 16, despite data showing that women and men aged 16 to 19 were the most likely of any age group to experience domestic abuse. Petron's petition, which has gained over 105,000 signatures, has received cross-party support and was delivered to No10 Downing Street.

Key Takeaways:

• Faustine Petron, a survivor of an abusive relationship at 16, launched a petition to make education on domestic abuse and coercive behavior mandatory for sixth form and college students.
• The petition has gained over 105,000 signatures and received cross-party support, including Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran and domestic abuse campaigner David Challen.
• Current compulsory sex education ends when pupils finish their GCSEs at the age of 16, despite data from the Office for National Statistics showing that women and men aged 16 to 19 were the most likely of any age group to experience domestic abuse.
• Petron believes that education on coercive control and domestic abuse should be extended to 18-year-olds, citing the average age of first sexual experience as 16 and the lack of education on the subject in schools.
• A report by Women's Aid found that children who consumed misogynistic social media content were almost five times more likely to view hurting someone physically as acceptable if you say sorry afterwards.
• One in three women said they found the relationship and sex education they had in school as rushed and awkward, with a third (35 per cent) of 18-25-year-old respondents recalling no education about controlling behaviors throughout school.
• The Sex Education Forum, which has supported the petition, calls on the government to guarantee RSE to all students up to the age of 18 in further education.
• Domestic abuse campaigner Lucy Emmerson stated that extending RSE up to age 18 is a natural next step, with research evidence backing up the call for education to prevent sexual violence, abuse, and poor sexual health.
• The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade, but Refuge CEO Gemma Sherrington emphasizes that this cannot be achieved without improved education, empowering young people to spot signs of domestic abuse.
• A government spokesperson acknowledged that abuse is abhorrent and stated that the government will ensure children are learning the skills they need to build positive, healthy relationships, right from primary school.

Statistics:

• Over 105,000 people have signed Faustine Petron's petition to make education on domestic abuse and coercive behavior mandatory for sixth form and college students.
• 16-19-year-olds are the most likely age group to experience domestic abuse, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
• Almost five times more children who consumed misogynistic social media content view hurting someone physically as acceptable if you say sorry afterwards, as found in a Women's Aid report.
• One in three women found their relationship and sex education to be rushed and awkward.
• A third (35 per cent) of 18-25-year-old respondents recalled no education about controlling behaviors throughout school.
• Over 100,000 signatories and cross-party support demonstrate the public's demand for extended RSE education.

Sources:

• The Independent
• Women's Aid
• Make it Mandatory petition
• Office for National Statistics
• Sex Education Forum
• Refuge
• The Independent