MP calls for lifelong sex education to combat abuse

An MP has issued a call for "lifelong sex education" in a bid to improve public health and safety.

Samantha Niblett, Labour MP for South Derbyshire, said the 'Yes Sex Please, We're British!' campaign focuses on education in understanding consent, respect and healthy relationships, with the aim of preventing abuse and violence.

She has partnered with sex educator Cindy Gallop, who wants to steer people away from pornography as being the "default sex education".

Niblett said: "We need to ensure we're educating on what is beautiful and normal about real sex and love in real life for every consenting person in the UK."

Niblett secured a House of Commons debate on the issue of "lifelong sex education", which is expected to take place in early autumn.

It will also aim to raise awareness about life stages such as childbirth, the menopause, stress and erectile dysfunction, as well as other health conditions.

Niblett added the campaign calls for "relevant, all-inclusive lifelong sex education to be integrated into the public health system and beyond" for "every age and at every life stage".

She added it is designed to "take the shame, embarrassment and guilt out of talking about sex".

"The government is serious about tackling violence against women and girls and about helping boys and men increasingly being drawn into the toxicity of the manosphere to understand their important role in society," she said.

"Whilst government can and is taking action to block and ban harmful content online, we need to ensure we're educating on what is beautiful and normal about real sex and love in real life for every consenting person in the UK.

"Because if we can't talk about good sex, how can we expect people to talk about bad sex and help keep them safe?

"Sex is a significant part of most people's lives, there should be no shame associated with it."

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