Ministers slammed for not doing enough to protect kids from sexual harassment in schools
Committee MPs want new laws brought in to force all schools to teach pupils dangers of pornography to shield them from sexual violence
MINISTERS were slammed last night for not doing enough to protect children from the growing scourge of sexual harassment in schools.
MPs on the influential Commons Women and Equalities Committee want new laws brought in to force all schools to teach pupils the dangers of pornography to shield them from sexual violence.
But despite a damming report, the Government has refused to enforce compulsory sex education across all schools instead making it voluntary.
Charities and campaigners said ministers had “let down” girls across the country.
A Girlguiding spokeswoman blasted the response as a missed opportunity.
She said: “We are among the girls and young women across the country who have been severely let down by the Government’s response today.
“Girls are being sexually harassed at school every day and this can have a devastating impact on their confidence and ability to flourish.
“We feel the Government has missed a crucial opportunity to make schools safer for all young people, by not going far enough in their action to tackle this issue.”
An NSPCC spokesman said the Government’s response “fell short” of their expectations.
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He said: “It seems bizarre that despite our long standing call for compulsory sex and relationships education being backed by the Chair of the Committee, the Government refuses to accept it.”
Committee chair Maria Miller said there had been a huge rise in sexual harassment in schools in the “smartphone age”.
She said the outdated guidance needed refreshed and a “robust and urgent response” from ministers was needed.
A Government spokeswoman said: “Sex education is compulsory in all maintained secondary schools but we continue to look at how we can improve it further.”
