P-06-1545 Stop forcing school children to undress in front of staff/peers in 'open' communal rooms
This petition was submitted by Louise Phillips, having collected a total of 1,281 signatures.
Text of petition:
Children in secondary education deserve privacy and safety, and not to feel forced to undress in front of peers/staff in an open communal changing room for a compulsory subject (although separated by gender currently). In a world where children are being empowered to be themselves to explore genders, rights, equality and inclusion, some comprehensive schools P.E changing facilities offer little to no privacy /dignity and that's a massive safeguarding concern.
Additional information:
Children have the
right to privacy and to be safe, changing in an open communal
changing room should not feel forced. Adults have the right to
choose but children do not because inadequate existing facilities
are being shared in high class volumes, this is a safeguarding
issue. Young people have a right to privacy (Article 16 UNCRC), the
local Authority needs to resolve this ASAP with the support of
Government.
Clear guidelines are recommended in keeping children and young
people safe while they are getting changed for reasons such as but
not limited to:
- some children feel vulnerable/children are vulnerable;
- can cause anxiety;
- disabilities;
- those from different religions, beliefs and cultural
backgrounds
transgender, non-binary or questioning their gender identity;
- staff and volunteers can feel unsure about changing supervision
and how to ensure that all children and adults are safe;
- being sensitive to those who physically mature at a much earlier
or later age than their peers.