Scottish Government Set To Release Review Of Controversial School Sex Survey

A long-awaited review of a controversial school sex survey in Scotland is set to be published within the next month. This comes after the UK's Office of Statistics Regulation (OSR) demanded transparency regarding the survey, which has raised significant concerns among parents and educators since its inception in 2021.

Key Takeaways

• The review of the Health and Wellbeing census will be published within 30 days.
• The survey, initiated in 2021, asked students as young as 14 about their sexual experiences.
• Concerns over informed consent and data privacy have led to widespread criticism.

Background Of The Survey

The Health and Wellbeing census, organized by the Scottish government, aimed to gather data on the health and wellbeing of students. However, it quickly became controversial due to its probing questions about sexual experiences, particularly for students aged 14 and 15. The survey included questions such as:

1. Sexual Experience: "People have varying degrees of sexual experience. How much, if any, sexual experience have you had?"
2. Types of Sexual Activity: Options included "oral sex" and "vaginal or anal sex."

The survey was designed to be anonymous, with assurances that responses would not be shared. However, the method of obtaining consent raised alarms, as it was based on an "opt-out" system, meaning parents had to actively refuse participation rather than give explicit consent.

Concerns Raised

The OSR's intervention followed a letter sent to the Scottish government in 2022, highlighting that the significance of the survey had been underestimated. Key concerns included:

• Informed Consent: Parents were not adequately informed about the nature of the questions.
• Data Privacy: There were worries about how the data would be used and shared.
• Withdrawal of Participation: Half of Scotland's councils withdrew from the survey due to these concerns.

Government Response

In response to the OSR's demands, the Scottish government has committed to publishing the review within the stipulated 30-day timeframe. Alastair McAlpine, the chief statistician for Scotland, is expected to address the OSR's concerns regarding the governance and methodology of the survey.

Call For Transparency

Gavin Yates, executive director of the parents' organization Connect, expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency surrounding the survey. He emphasized the importance of collecting data ethically and with proper consent protocols. Yates stated:

"Finding out what young people think is really important, but data must be collected in an ethical, open way with proper opt-in consent."

Next Steps

As the Scottish government prepares to release the review, stakeholders are eager to see how the findings will address the concerns raised. The review is expected to provide clarity on the processes and governance surrounding the survey, which has been a contentious issue for nearly three years.

The upcoming publication will be crucial in restoring trust among parents and educators, ensuring that future surveys prioritize the rights and privacy of students while still gathering necessary data for public health initiatives.