Post by kenny220 on May 21, 2009 11:15:45 GMT
Children of 12 were asked intimate questions about their sex life as part of a council survey.
A leaflet of questions was sent to children as part of a consultation exercise by the authority.
Posted to about 400 between 11 and 18, it asked what kind of alcohol they drank and if they had ever had penetrative sex.
But a vicar revealed that several of his parishioners had complained about the questionnaire.
The Reverend Tony Macey, Vicar of thingyington, a village outside Torquay, said: "Eight parents came up to me after my service on Sunday to tell me their 12-year-old children had received this questionnaire.
"It had been posted direct to the children without the parents' knowledge. I feel some of the questions are a form of sexual harassment. We are talking about 12-year-olds, who are four years off the legal age of consent.
"These questions may make them feel they are missing out on something. But all sex, drugs and alcohol are all illegal for children this young.
"I recognise children have to learn about sex education but it appears their childhood seems to be taken away at an even earlier age and they are thrust into the sophisticated adult world."
He questioned whether pre-teenage children could answer one of the questions.
It asked respondents to what extent they agreed with the statement that police take racist incidents seriously.
"It's not a fair question to a 12-yearold," said Mr Macey. "They should have a different set of questions for 11-to-16-year-olds than those for 16 and above."
Some of the 45 questions asked how often and what alcohol the children drank and where, or whether they had taken illegal drugs.
Another said: "After drinking have you ever..." A choice of responses included, "passed out", "had a hangover", "damaged any property", or "engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse".
Others asked if respondents knew where they could get free condoms and the morning-after pill.
Mr Macey, who is a former chairman of governors at Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay, said that some of the questions were perfectly reasonable to ask of 15 or 16-year- olds. But they were not suitable for younger children. "It is a little inept," he added.
"My view of 12-year-olds is that they do not want much to do with members of the opposite sex.
"They are certainly at the age when they want friends of the other sex but not in the love line aspect."
The poll, which is anonymous, is aimed at gaining an understandingof children's views on drugs, alcohol, sex and relationships.
A spokesman for Torbay Council said: "This is an emotive issue and we are aware of the issues involved and are already talking to the concerned parents.
"The reason we consult with children is that not only in Torbay, but nationwide, there is an issue with teenage pregnancy. We are working extremely hard to deal with this. However, it takes partnership work with schools, parents and other relevant bodies to do so.
"We will be setting up a parents' forum in June."
The spokesman added: "We would welcome any concerned parents to come and talk to us and work with us to resolve these issues."
If this questionnaire had been sent to my daughter I would contact the police. What business is it of the council?said one mother,
WAT ARE OUR READERS VIEWS AND THOUGHTS ON THIS,
A leaflet of questions was sent to children as part of a consultation exercise by the authority.
Posted to about 400 between 11 and 18, it asked what kind of alcohol they drank and if they had ever had penetrative sex.
But a vicar revealed that several of his parishioners had complained about the questionnaire.
The Reverend Tony Macey, Vicar of thingyington, a village outside Torquay, said: "Eight parents came up to me after my service on Sunday to tell me their 12-year-old children had received this questionnaire.
"It had been posted direct to the children without the parents' knowledge. I feel some of the questions are a form of sexual harassment. We are talking about 12-year-olds, who are four years off the legal age of consent.
"These questions may make them feel they are missing out on something. But all sex, drugs and alcohol are all illegal for children this young.
"I recognise children have to learn about sex education but it appears their childhood seems to be taken away at an even earlier age and they are thrust into the sophisticated adult world."
He questioned whether pre-teenage children could answer one of the questions.
It asked respondents to what extent they agreed with the statement that police take racist incidents seriously.
"It's not a fair question to a 12-yearold," said Mr Macey. "They should have a different set of questions for 11-to-16-year-olds than those for 16 and above."
Some of the 45 questions asked how often and what alcohol the children drank and where, or whether they had taken illegal drugs.
Another said: "After drinking have you ever..." A choice of responses included, "passed out", "had a hangover", "damaged any property", or "engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse".
Others asked if respondents knew where they could get free condoms and the morning-after pill.
Mr Macey, who is a former chairman of governors at Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay, said that some of the questions were perfectly reasonable to ask of 15 or 16-year- olds. But they were not suitable for younger children. "It is a little inept," he added.
"My view of 12-year-olds is that they do not want much to do with members of the opposite sex.
"They are certainly at the age when they want friends of the other sex but not in the love line aspect."
The poll, which is anonymous, is aimed at gaining an understandingof children's views on drugs, alcohol, sex and relationships.
A spokesman for Torbay Council said: "This is an emotive issue and we are aware of the issues involved and are already talking to the concerned parents.
"The reason we consult with children is that not only in Torbay, but nationwide, there is an issue with teenage pregnancy. We are working extremely hard to deal with this. However, it takes partnership work with schools, parents and other relevant bodies to do so.
"We will be setting up a parents' forum in June."
The spokesman added: "We would welcome any concerned parents to come and talk to us and work with us to resolve these issues."
If this questionnaire had been sent to my daughter I would contact the police. What business is it of the council?said one mother,
WAT ARE OUR READERS VIEWS AND THOUGHTS ON THIS,
