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<p>Modern pressures children face such as harms related to the internet, as well as
long-standing issues such as abuse or drug misuse, mean children are growing up in
an increasingly complex world. That is why we are making making relationships education
compulsory for all primary pupils, relationships and sex education (RSE) compulsory
for secondary pupils, and health education compulsory for all state-funded pupils.</p><p>There
is clear evidence that good quality RSE also has a protective function in other important
areas, supporting further our rationale for making the subjects compulsory. For example,
there are several studies that show a positive association between RSE and contraceptive
use, and between RSE and later ages for first sexual intercourse, which are behaviours
that reduce the risk of teenage pregnancy. Improving contraceptive use to prevent
unwanted pregnancy has the potential to reduce abortion rates. Further information
is available at the following links:</p><p><a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/3/e007837"
target="_blank">https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/3/e007837</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005215.pub3/full"
target="_blank">https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005215.pub3/full</a>.</p><p><a
href="https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/information/resource-library/emerging-answers-2007-new-research-findings-programs-reduce"
target="_blank">https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/information/resource-library/emerging-answers-2007-new-research-findings-programs-reduce</a>.</p><p>The
Department conducted a consultation on the draft regulations, statutory guidance and
regulatory impact assessment, which closed on 7 November. The Department was contacted
by over 40,000 individuals and organisations. These included parents, young people,
headteachers, teachers, governors, subject specialists, teaching unions, charities
and faith groups. The Department analysed the responses to the consultation and have
since published the Government response and updated the draft statutory guidance.</p><p>The
key decisions on these subjects have also been informed by a thorough engagement process.
The public call for evidence received over 23,000 responses from parents, young people
and schools, and the Department engaged with 90 organisations representing a broad
range of views. These stakeholders can be found in the Government response to the
Call for Evidence at: <a href="https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf"
target="_blank">https://consult.education.gov.uk/pshe/relationships-education-rse-health-education/supporting_documents/180718%20Consultation_call%20for%20evidence%20response_policy%20statement.pdf</a>.</p>
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