8. Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s Report — 'Everybody’s affected: Peer on peer sexual harassment among learners'

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:08 pm on 26 October 2022.

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Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour 5:08, 26 October 2022

Diolch, Deputy Llywydd, and I'd just like to thank all Members who've taken part in this debate today. I think it's been a really important one, and I really appreciate all the contributions.

I'd like to put on record first of all my thanks and the committee's thanks to the clerking and research team, who have been fantastic throughout this inquiry, as well as our outreach team, and I'd like to thank all committee members for their commitment and attention to detail in producing such an important report, and absolutely echo Laura Jones's words about the speed with which we undertook this report, and I think that goes to show the importance the committee put on this particular issue. So, I'd like to thank all Members for the work that they've done.

Also to say that James made a really important point—James Evans—about this is a matter for everybody, and that everybody affected should come forward, and our report is titled 'Everybody's affected' for that reason, and I think Estyn told us that 29 per cent of male secondary school pupils experienced harassment. Although lower than girls, that's still almost a third of all boys, which is clearly unacceptable.

Also, just to reiterate one of Sioned's points about it being such an urgent matter, and that the new curriculum sadly won't help any child currently in year 8 or above. I know I mentioned that in my opening remarks, but just to reiterate that message to the Minister.