If This Bill Passes, Federal Law Will Mandate Consent Education in Public Schools
Right now, federal law does not require health or sex education to include sexual assault prevention - but that could change with a new bill introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
The Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015, which was introduced earlier this month, would require all public secondary schools in the country to include teaching “safe relationship behavior” in order to help prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Women between 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence, making the bill particularly important in ending an epidemic of sexual violence.
McCaskill, who has also pushed legislation to combat military sexual assault, noted that sexual assault prevention starts young. “One thing we’ve learned in our work to curb sexual violence on campuses and in the military is that many young people learn about sex and relationships before they turn 18,” she said in a recent statement. “And one of the most effective ways to prevent sexual violence among adults is to educate our kids at a younger age.”
More: If This Bill Passes, Federal Law Will Mandate Consent Education in Public Schools