Women’s organisations gave a huge welcome to David Laws’ announcement in August that the compulsory teaching of good quality Sex & Relationships Education (SRE) from age seven onwards will be in the Liberal Democrat manifesto. And we hope to hear this policy cheered loudly at Liberal Democrat conference this weekend.

Is it not shocking that in 2014 this subject is not compulsory in schools? All schools are currently statutorily required to do is teach the biological basics of reproduction by the age of 15, and schools can choose to insert the teaching into any subject they choose (science, RE, PSHE if it is taught at their school – it’s not compulsory either).

The debate around SRE has moved on considerably from a post ‘sexual revolution’ concern to ensure young people had the knowledge on contraception and sexual health. There is sadly overwhelming evidence about the scale of abuse in children’s and especially girls’ lives – from sexual harassment within school where a third of girls report being groped and there is constant sexual name-calling, to ‘sexting’ involving pressure and coercion of girls to send explicit images to boys and its close relation ‘revenge porn’. There is the easy availability of online porn which 60% of young people have seen by the age of 14 (ICM for BBC, 2014), high levels of abuse in teenage relationships which the Home Office recognises and is running a campaign on, and the fact of abuse by older adults in the home and in the community whose victims may have nowhere else to be safe and to disclose other than at school.

All experts in these fields agree that good quality SRE which aims to identify and prevent violence against women and girls is the key primary intervention needed to prevent abuse in the long term. The Liberal Democrat pledge is welcome and we hope it might go that bit further to include age appropriate SRE for all primary schoolchildren and to make a specific connection with preventing abuse.

Compulsory SRE, with the emphasis on relationships, would give young people the chance to talk to trusted adults about what equal and respectful relationships are like. It would be an opportunity to challenge attitudes that make excuses for abuse before they set in. It would better enable boys and girls to recognise abusive behaviour like grooming (the Rotherham report included girls’ comments that their sex education did nothing towards this).

Liberal Democrat Equalities Minister Jo Swinson is already supporting the petition we are running with the Everyday Sexism Project for compulsory SRE. She understands the connections with abuse, and that the spotlight on these issues since Jimmy Savile, the child sexual exploitation trials, and attention to FGM and forced marriage is as never before.

And if there is still hesitation on compulsory sex and relationships education from some politicians and sections of the public, isn’t the truly Liberal, civil rights and child rights position to take clear? Compulsory SRE is about young people’s right to information and to protection. This is why it should be written in capitals in the Liberal Democrat manifesto and be non-negotiable.

The End Violence Against Women Coalition and our members are campaigning on a range of issues for the General Election, some of which would have natural liberal support, and some which might not, but we look forward to the debate at a time when women’s votes will be critical in a tight election.

‘The Independent View‘ is a slot on Lib Dem Voice which allows those from beyond the party to contribute to debates we believe are of interest to LDV’s readers. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in contributing.

* Sarah Green is the Campaigns Manager of the End Violence Against Women Coalition