It is important to know what the law says about sex, relationships and young people, as well as broader safeguarding issues. This includes a range of important facts and the rules regarding sharing personal information, pictures, videos and other material using technology. This will help young people to know what is right and wrong in law, but it can also provide a good foundation of knowledge for deeper discussion about all types of relationships. There are also many different legal provisions whose purpose is to protect young people and which ensure young people take responsibility for their actions.
Pupils should be made aware of the relevant legal provisions when relevant topics are being taught, including for example
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Marriage
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Consent, including the age of consent
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Violence against women and girls
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Online behaviours including image and information sharing (including ‘sexting’, youth-produced sexual imagery, nudes, etc.)
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Pornography
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Abortion
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Sexuality
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Gender identity
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Substance misuse
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Violence and exploitation by gangs
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Extremism and radicalisation
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Criminal exploitation (for example, through gang involvement or ‘county lines’ drugs operations)
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Hate crime
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Female genital mutilation (FGM)