Beth Stout is chief executive of the Golddigger Trust, which provides education in schools about sex and relationships. Speaking on Premier Christian Radio’s News Hour, she said some teenagers just don’t realise sexting is illegal: ‘It is something that is really rife in youth culture and it’s become a bit of a norm. So, the way that the police have dealt with it is saying, “we need to express to young people, and to parents, and to schools, that this is a serious offence”. We do a fair bit of work in trying to explain to teenagers what it is that’s actually going on and that is it serious, and that requesting an image, even, is an offence.’
In the UK it is illegal to create, possess or distribute indecent images of children. Other organisations, such as the NSPCC, have said that children should not be prosecuted for sexting offences.
‘Schools should be places of education rather than indoctrination. No child in multi-faith Britain should grow up without a working understanding and respect for the various worldviews that make up our 21st Century society. Our commitment to inclusion and equality is based and built on our Christ-centred ethos rather than a position we hold in spite of it. The example that Jesus set by the generous and inclusive way that he lived in what was the religiously and ethnically divided society of his day, inspires and motivates Oasis in the work we do in our 21st Century, diverse society.’
Steve Chalke following the ‘Trojan Horse’ investigation into Birmingham schools, which resulted in five being placed onto ‘special measures’ amid allegations of intimidation and misuse of school funds. The story led to then-Education Secretary Michael Gove announcing that he wanted all schools to ‘promote British values’.
