Sex education and abuse
Thomas Pringle highlighted worrying rape crisis figures from Donegal and called for better sex education for children. The Taoiseach said RSE is being reviewed and should be strengthened through curriculum changes and teacher development.
Last week saw the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre report that it had 38 teenagers use its services in 2022, which is the highest level anywhere in the country. The manager of the centre has said that the level of physical violence accompanying the sexual violence is really very frightening. The manager went on to say:
Each month now we can't keep up with the number of referrals both under and over 18. The number of under 18s [reporting] at the moment is just staggering, it really, really is.
One of the issues highlighted is the lack of proper education for children in this area. We need real sexual awareness teaching. I would suggest that this must start for all children in primary school, at this stage. The Donegal Rape Crisis Centre has reduced to the age of 12 for the children who can access its services. I believe it is young men and boys who are in most need of support and who need to be taught about proper sexual behaviour. Now, however, they will be left behind. Will the Taoiseach tell the House if the Government will provide adequate funding and reduce the age at which young people can receive sexual education in order to try to stem the tide of this abuse?
Comment on this
Relationship and sexuality education is available at primary level and post-primary level.
The reports the Deputy has received from the Donegal Rape Crisis Centre are very worrying. The Minister, through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, has been undertaking a fundamental review of the junior certificate syllabus in respect of relationships and sexuality education, RSE, as well as at senior level. The work at junior level is complete. In addition to changing and broadening the curriculum, it is important to strengthen capacity through continuing professional development of teachers and to help and support teachers in the delivery of the programme at primary and senior cycle level. Regarding the combination of RSE with social, personal and health education, SPHE, it is important to make sure to strengthen capacity in the delivery of those programmes in primary and second level education. I agree with the points the Deputy has made.