Schools could be forced to teach abuse protection

UP to 500 primary schools could be forced to start teaching a programme to help children protect themselves against abuse under Government plans.

It emerged earlier this year that up to one-in-five primary schools was not offering the Stay Safe programme taught to pupils as part of the social, personal and health education curriculum.

It is operated by the Child Abuse Prevention Programme, which trains teachers how to teach children personal safety and also aims to reduce vulnerability to child abuse and bullying.