Students to be taught strangulation is illegal in new sex ed lessons
New sex education lessons for teenagers will clearly warn that choking or suffocating a partner during sex is an offense punishable by prison.
These government-backed materials, designed for children aged 14-15, form part of the updated Relationships, Sex and Health (RSHE) curriculum, which became law in September.
Developed by Oak National Academy, an arms-length institution that supports curriculum delivery, the lessons address “growing concern about the normalization of choking” among young people.
The academy said it will help teachers deal with the “increasing influence of manosphere and incel culture” in classrooms.
Students will also learn not to seek “blanket consent” during sex, emphasize the importance of setting boundaries with a partner, and be supported in recognizing toxic behaviors in relationships such as phone tapping and gaslighting. Intentionally strangling or suffocating another person is a criminal offense and can lead to up to five years in prison if convicted.
There is a defense in law if the defendant can show that the alleged victim consented to asphyxiation or any action that affected his or her ability to breathe; however, this defense does not apply if the victim suffers serious harm or if the defendant intends to cause serious harm or is reckless as to whether the victim will suffer serious harm.
The new lessons will make it clear to students that they cannot rely on consent as a defence.
Schools Minister Georgia Gould said: “Misogynist views are learned, not innate, and we are using every tool possible to achieve our mission to halve violence against women and girls.
“From this September every school will be required to teach our new RSHE guidance, which helps challenge and tackle harmful myths and behavior early.
“Oak National Academy’s new resources mean teachers have everything they need to have these conversations safely, confidently and with the support of high-quality, expert-backed materials.”
John Roberts, chief executive of Oak, said: “We can’t run away from tough issues, otherwise young people will be left to tackle them alone.
“The new RSHE guidance will bring many sensitive discussions into classrooms, which is a good thing.
“Teachers are well positioned to have these conversations safely and effectively. But they need support to do this well.”
