The State of Sex Education Today: We Need More Than the Basics

Sex education in the United States is far from uniform. Depending on the state, school district, and individual institution, what students learn about sexual health can vary drastically. While some students are fortunate to receive comprehensive sex education that covers everything from anatomy to consent, others may receive abstinence-only messaging or minimal instruction that leaves out critical topics like healthy relationships and dating violence prevention and stigmatizes and shames victims.

Today’s youth are navigating a world that is complex and need comprehensive sex education to help them develop the critical thinking and self-advocacy skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. . With access to the internet, social media, and pop culture, young people are exposed to a wide array of influences that shape their understanding of relationships, sex, and consent. Unfortunately, these influences don’t always present healthy or accurate information. In fact, many young people are left with more questions than answers, particularly when it comes to topics like dating violence, coercion, and boundary setting.

This gap is especially concerning given that 1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from a dating partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet, many sex education programs don’t provide the tools or language for students to recognize and prevent dating violence in their own lives. According to the National Sex Education Standards, comprehensive sex education should instruct on consent, healthy relationships, and interpersonal violence in grades K-12. Content should address topics such as defining bodily autonomy and physical boundaries, identifying traits of a toxic relationship, how to communicate effectively and healthily in relationships, and much more, in a developmentally appropriate manner. Comprehensive sex education, which includes dating violence prevention and consent education, is important now more than ever.

Why Dating Violence and Consent Education Are Essential in Schools

Despite the growing awareness of the importance of consent and healthy relationship dynamics, many sex education programs still fall short of addressing these vital topics. According to a 2020 report by the Guttmacher Institute, less than half of high schools in the U.S. teach key topics related to sexual consent. In fact, according to SIECUS data, only 12 states require sex education or HIV/AIDS instruction to teach about consent.

This lack of instruction has real consequences. The CDC reports that nearly 1 in 9 female high school students and 1 in 36 male students experience sexual dating violence each year. However, these figures don’t even account for the countless incidents that go unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of trust in available resources. Moreover, reports from the CDC show a direct link between teen sexual violence and suicidal ideation.

“If you think about every 10 teen girls that you know, at least one and possibly more has been raped, and that is the highest level we’ve ever seen,” said Kathleen Ethier, director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health who said the rise of sexual violence almost certainly contributed to the glaring spike of depressive symptoms. “We are really alarmed,” she said.- CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Report

Comprehensive sex education that includes dating violence prevention and consent empowers young people to understand and respect their own and others’ boundaries. It provides them with tools to form healthy, supportive relationships while fostering a culture of mutual respect and communication.

To address these gaps, peer-to-peer education programs like SafeBAE offer effective solutions. Founded by survivors and led by youth, SafeBAE equips students to educate their peers on consent, bystander intervention, and dating violence prevention. By engaging students directly, SafeBAE fosters a deeper connection to the material and instills a sense of responsibility that traditional methods often lack. This approach empowers students to become advocates and leaders in their communities and prepares them to support peers in need by guiding them to appropriate adult resources for trauma recovery.

The Power of Peer-to-Peer Education

Peer-to-peer education has proven to be an especially effective approach when it comes to topics like dating violence prevention and consent education. Teens and young adults are more likely to absorb and engage with information when it comes from people they can relate to—peers who understand their experiences, challenges, and concerns. This type of education creates an environment of trust and openness, where students feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics that they might otherwise shy away from.

Research shows that peer education programs have higher rates of participation and retention of information. For example, a 2018 study by the American Journal of Public Health found that students involved in peer-led sex education programs were more likely to report increased confidence in setting boundaries, understanding consent, and recognizing unhealthy relationship dynamics compared to those in traditional teacher-led classes. Peer educators bring a unique, relatable voice to these discussions, breaking down the barriers of awkwardness or stigma that can arise when adults lead the conversation.

SafeBAE has seen firsthand the impact of this approach, with the data they have collected from student participants. In schools where SafeBAE peer educators lead workshops and clubs, students report feeling more empowered to intervene as bystanders, speak up about their own experiences, and even take leadership roles within their school communities to continue educating others. This ripple effect helps create a lasting culture of respect and consent that extends beyond the classroom.

SafeBAE’s model also gives students the tools they need to continue the conversation long after a single presentation is over. By establishing SafeBAE clubs, students are encouraged to become ongoing leaders in their schools, driving conversations around consent and healthy relationships in a way that feels authentic and relevant to their peers.

Advocating for Change: The Future of Comprehensive Sex Ed

To address gaps in sex education, dating violence prevention and consent education must be core components, not optional topics. Equipping students with knowledge and tools to navigate relationships confidently and respectfully is essential to preventing dating violence, harassment, and assault. SafeBAE, through peer-to-peer support, exemplifies how empowering students to educate each other fosters safer schools and promotes a culture of respect and consent.

Real change requires broad advocacy. SIECUS, alongside partners like SafeBAE, champions inclusive sex education covering consent, healthy relationships, and violence prevention. Educators, parents, policymakers, and students must push for curricula that genuinely prioritize these elements as commitments to student well-being.
Together, we can ensure every student has access to the support needed to make informed, respectful relationship choices.