Bridgend council criticised for sex strangulation presentation plan

Bridgend council criticised for sex strangulation presentation plan

A recent presentation plan concerning strangulation during sex has sparked controversy, raising concerns about the content being shared with students in schools. The presentation, created by Bridgend council, was criticized for endorsing a dangerous act. The slides included a statement cautioning against choking someone without consent. While the council stated that this was part of a preliminary version that was not shown to children, many experts and politicians, including Natasha Asghar, questioned why such material was even included in the first place.

The school resource was commissioned by Bridgend council’s domestic abuse service, Assia, and came to light after being leaked last year. Figures like Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister Eluned Morgan were informed of the situation through an open letter from concerned parents and professionals involved in sex education. The Victims’ Commissioner for London, Claire Waxman, also expressed alarm over the material. Additionally, former Conservative MEP Baroness Jacqueline Foster emphasized the legal repercussions of non-fatal strangulation.

In response to the backlash, Bridgend council issued a statement clarifying that the slides containing inaccurate and outdated information had been removed or updated. However, questions lingered about the initial inclusion of such content and the reasons behind its creation. The council defended the slides, stating they were intended to stimulate discussion before clarifying the risks and legal implications of non-fatal strangulation. Despite this explanation, further scrutiny from professionals like Michael Conroy has highlighted the potential dangers of sharing such sensitive material with schools and youth settings.

Conservative Senedd member Natasha Asghar has called for transparency, demanding access to both versions of the PowerPoint presentation to ensure that children are receiving appropriate education. Concerns have been raised not only about the specific case in Bridgend but also about the broader landscape of sex education in schools. Campaigner Fiona Mackenzie has urged government intervention to regulate sex education materials and ensure that accurate and safe information is being disseminated to young learners. The Welsh government, while emphasizing adherence to legal requirements for Relationships and Sexuality Education, has reiterated their commitment to providing support and expertise to schools and local authorities

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