London, : A group representing parents' concerns has condemned MPs for using a campaign to end violence against women as a smokescreen to push forward their agenda for compulsory sex education.
SPUC Safe at School was responding to MPs committed to compulsory sex education, who have initiated a debate calling for an end to violence against females through making personal, social and health education (PHSE) a statutory requirement in schools (see notes for editors below). Sex and relationships education (SRE) is part of PHSE.
Antonia Tully of SPUC Safe at School said: "This is a cheap tactic aimed at deflecting attention away from their real agenda. Who isn't against ending violence towards women? Those MPs who want compulsory sex education are mixing up two different issues in an attempt to wrap up compulsory sex education with an issue they think will be more acceptable to the public in general, and parents in particular.
"Safe at School has exposed many SRE teaching resources to be graphic lessons about sex which sexualise children. Hundreds of parents wanting to protect their children from such lessons have been supported by Safe at School. Compulsory sex education deprives parents of their legal right to withdraw their children from inappropriate sex lessons.
"We will make sure that MPs and parents are not taken in by such gimmicks", concluded Mrs Tully.
Antonia Tully of SPUC Safe at School can be contacted on 020 8407 3463 or 07926 007175. SPUC's communications department can be contacted on: