Healthy relationships and consent guidance published

Guidance for professionals giving advice to young people on healthy relationships and consent has been published by the Scottish Government.

The guidance will help teachers, health professionals and youth workers give consistent and age-appropriate information.

The guidance covers a wide range of issues - including healthy relationships, the law concerning sexual activity, respect, consent and the use of intimate images - but the basic principles of respect and consent throughout apply to all relationships.

Aimed at young people of secondary school age and above, professionals will use their expert judgement to determine age and stage-appropriate messages when speaking to young people.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Everyone is entitled to a healthy, happy relationship built on respect and this guidance will ensure all of our young people are given consistent advice to make informed choices.

“Getting it right for every child means being able to have open and candid conversations about the issues affecting young people’s lives and that must include a safe space to learn about consensual and healthy relationships.”

Kathryn Dawson, Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator at Rape Crisis Scotland said: “We’re really pleased these key messages have been developed to support professionals around the country working with young people on these vitally important issues.

“Young people are ready to talk and it’s so important to provide safe spaces for them to learn about consensual and healthy relationships – both in terms of their right to be safe, and their responsibility to respect others in intimate and sexual relationships.”