Suffer the little children

Many people over recent times, both in private and in public, have expressed a growing concern at what is called the sexualisation of children and young people. Indeed, much has been written about it not just by social commentators, but increasingly by child development specialists and adolescent psychologists and psychiatrists.

The growing level of young men and boys, some even in primary school receiving counselling or in some cases medical attention for overt acts of sexual behaviour including addiction, for example, attraction to pornography should be seen for what it is.

It is not as some would argue a natural and normal progression to a more balanced and enlightened attitude to all matters sexual and gender. Rather, we are seeing serious behavioural issues that should be examined and discussed unencumbered by ideologies that do not just request, but demand compliance.

For some time now I have had significant reservations about an initiative being rolled out Australia-wide in public schools called the Safe Schools Coalition Australia program. The ideas, or should I say the ideologies behind the program, are not new.

While those who developed and are driving it claim that they had a "lightbulb moment" regarding the concept, in truth it was lifted directly from similar programs that have been running in public schools in the US for decades.

It is worth returning to both the form and content of the program on another occasion. What I wish to comment on is the highly sexualised material that our school children are being directed to through the program.

The program's mode of delivery is via state and territory based partnership organisations. By visiting the program website and clicking on "Our Supporters" followed by "contact us" you will find the full list of state and territory partners. It is worth a visit. You may be surprised. I know I was.

In the ACT, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT have the contract to deliver the program. Having clicked into the website I, like I expect many inquisitive kids, started to review the content.

How about "Dealing with uncomfortable sexual fantasies"? I make no further comment other than to say I do not know where the psychosexual nuances of rape fantasies are accommodated in the Australian curriculum.

Moving on, I thought I would try "Questicon gets "Sexed up"".

Kids in the ACT certainly know about Questicon. Having been to Questicon myself with the family a few times I knew it was a child friendly place. Well, not perhaps this time!

The article shows Erin Smith, the person who delivers the program in the ACT, smiling broadly as she makes and then displays on a plate edible vulva sweet treats. I won't repeat it, you did read it correctly the first time.