6. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Relationships and Sexuality Education

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:38 pm on 22 May 2018.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 5:38, 22 May 2018

Diolch, Llywydd. I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today on such an important issue, and all of those individuals who have been involved in bringing this report to fruition. Some of you will know that I already go into schools and ask them to take part in the White Ribbon campaign, and many schools have done that. That's talking about ending violence against women and girls. I've asked schools to come up with, through their pupils, what that means to them. Time and time again, they've come up with one single word when we're talking about relationships, and it is 'respect'. That's what the children say. It isn't what I've influenced, it isn't any influence whatsoever by any adults, it comes from the children themselves. Last year, Ysgol Ardudwy in Harlech had a fantastic banner that they produced with the words 'parch' or 'respect' written on it.

Really, what we're talking about today here is trying to instill respect for each other in terms of difference, whatever that difference is, regardless. Some of the things I've heard here today have reminded me of about 30 years ago and section 28. They haven't quite gone that far, but they've been shrouded in that sort of language. So, I congratulate you, Cabinet Secretary, on moving us forward, not taking us back, and putting respect at the core of relationships and sexual education. My question to you is here: I note that you've said that you're putting some money there that will be advanced to Welsh Women's Aid— £50,000—and that they will then in turn produce materials that are age-appropriate for young children. How soon can we see some of that happening? I know there are things already happening, but how soon will it be—because these are questions that I will be asked—that that organisation will be able to access those funds?