Morning:
14°c
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
The town hall that asked 12-year-olds about their sex lives
Last updated at 00:37am on 13.03.07
Shocked: Tony Macey
Childrem of 12 were asked intimate questions about their sex life as part of a council survey.
A leaflet of questions was sent to children as part of a consultation exercise by the authority.
Posted to about 400 between 11 and 18, it asked what kind of alcohol they drank and if they had ever had penetrative sex.
But a vicar revealed that several of his parishioners had complained about the questionnaire.
The Reverend Tony Macey, Vicar of Cockington, a village outside Torquay, said: "Eight parents came up to me after my service on Sunday to tell me their 12-year-old children had received this questionnaire.
"It had been posted direct to the children without the parents' knowledge. I feel some of the questions are a form of sexual harassment. We are talking about 12-year-olds, who are four years off the legal age of consent.
"These questions may make them feel they are missing out on something. But all sex, drugs and alcohol are all illegal for children this young.
"I recognise children have to learn about sex education but it appears their childhood seems to be taken away at an even earlier age and they are thrust into the sophisticated adult world."
He questioned whether pre-teenage children could answer one of the questions.
It asked respondents to what extent they agreed with the statement that police take racist incidents seriously.
"It's not a fair question to a 12-yearold," said Mr Macey. "They should have a different set of questions for 11-to-16-year-olds than those for 16 and above."
Some of the 45 questions asked how often and what alcohol the children drank and where, or whether they had taken illegal drugs.
Another said: "After drinking have you ever..." A choice of responses included, "passed out", "had a hangover", "damaged any property", or "engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse".
Others asked if respondents knew where they could get free condoms and the morning-after pill.
Mr Macey, who is a former chairman of governors at Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay, said that some of the questions were perfectly reasonable to ask of 15 or 16-year- olds. But they were not suitable for younger children. "It is a little inept," he added.
"My view of 12-year-olds is that they do not want much to do with members of the opposite sex.
"They are certainly at the age when they want friends of the other sex but not in the love line aspect."
The poll, which is anonymous, is aimed at gaining an understandingof children's views on drugs, alcohol, sex and relationships.
A spokesman for Torbay Council said: "This is an emotive issue and we are aware of the issues involved and are already talking to the concerned parents.
"The reason we consult with children is that not only in Torbay, but nationwide, there is an issue with teenage pregnancy. We are working extremely hard to deal with this. However, it takes partnership work with schools, parents and other relevant bodies to do so.
"We will be setting up a parents' forum in June."
The spokesman added: "We would welcome any concerned parents to come and talk to us and work with us to resolve these issues."
Reader views (2)
The councillor talks of this as a "partnership work with schools, parents..." - how on earth can this be a 'partnership' if the parents know nothing about it?
This is NOT the way to work with teenage pregnancy. Ask the ones who do get pregnant questions and find out what distinguishes them from others. Then work on that.
Or better still try thinking outside the box. Throughout history young people have had children from 14 upwards, normally with full approval of their elders and often within marriage. Under 14s it's medically unwise. But over that with the right support young girls make good mothers.
The problem is really that there's this fairy tale that someone has a child and looks after it neatly and tidily on her own or just with a partner. Preferably in their 'spare time' outside employment hours.
Rubbish. Every mother needs SEVERAL PEOPLE helping her, not just one, whatever her age. If we face that and give up this silly and dangerous individualistic fantasy of mothers tucked away out of sight managing it all we'll look after mothers and kids better - including the youngest mothers.
This harassment of children is abusive and should be stopped immediately. It's a case for maladministration too - wasting public money as well as child abuse. If I was one of those parents I wouldn't be chatting with a priest - I'd be complaining to the Chief Executive and talking to my solicitor.
- Shan Morgain, S. Wales
What would surely be very interesting is to see what the kids DID reply. I'm sure some of their parents would be horrified, but also enlightened.
- Haskey101, London SE1
