Comprehensive sexuality education

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is planned, evidence-based, age-appropriate teaching that helps children, teenagers and young people understand their bodies, feelings, relationships and rights. It goes beyond reproduction and risk: it builds the knowledge, attitudes and skills people need to look after their health, respect others and make informed choices.

What comprehensive sexuality education is

The international reference is UNESCO's International technical guidance on sexuality education. The first edition came out in 2009; the current revised edition, from 2018, was published jointly by UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and WHO. It defines CSE as a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.

WHO sums up its essentials: scientifically accurate information, tailored to age, built on a curriculum and continued throughout childhood and adolescence. A single talk at the end of secondary school is not CSE.

UNESCO's eight key concepts

The 2018 guidance groups the content into eight areas:

1. Relationships.
2. Values, rights, culture and sexuality.
3. Understanding gender.
4. Violence and staying safe.
5. Skills for health and well-being.
6. The human body and development.
7. Sexuality and sexual behaviour.
8. Sexual and reproductive health.

Each area has learning objectives for four age bands: 5–8, 9–12, 12–15 and 15–18 plus. Diversity, including sexual orientation, is covered respectfully and without stigma.

What children learn at each stage

CSE builds step by step. WHO recommends starting at around age 5, when formal schooling begins, although learning at home starts earlier.

• Early childhood: the correct names for body parts, feelings, family and friendship, privacy, the idea that their body belongs to them, that some secrets should never be kept, and which trusted adult to tell. Sexual activity is not part of it. More ideas in sex education for children.
• Pre-teens: puberty, periods, changing emotions, friendship, bullying and staying safe online.
• Teenagers: consent, healthy relationships, contraception, STI prevention, abuse in relationships and where to get help. See sex education in adolescence.

What the evidence shows

The evidence review UNESCO commissioned for the 2018 guidance found that sexuality education, in or out of school, does not increase sexual activity, sexual risk-taking or STI and HIV rates. The strongest effects are better knowledge and attitudes. Programmes that tackle both pregnancy and STIs lead to more condom and contraceptive use than those focused on pregnancy alone.

WHO adds that there is clear evidence that abstinence-only programmes do not prevent early sexual activity or risk-taking. Put simply, information protects; silence does not.

How it helps protect children from abuse

WHO estimates that around 18% of girls worldwide, almost 1 in 5, have experienced child sexual abuse. A child who can name their body parts, tell a safe touch from an unsafe one and knows whom to tell is better protected. That is why CSE covers bodily autonomy from an early age, along with the message that it is never the victim's fault.

Common myths

• "It encourages young people to start earlier": the evidence does not support this. Better-informed young people tend to delay sex and protect themselves more.
• "It's just talking about sex": most of it is about emotions, relationships, equality, rights and safety.
• "Young children are taught adult things": at that age the focus is the body, feelings, privacy and asking for help.
• "It's only the family's job": parents are the first educators, but schools and health services complete and structure the information.

CSE in Spain and France

In Spain, the 2010 law on sexual and reproductive health, amended in 2023, includes sexual health education in the school system, and a 2023 equality law requires respect for sexual, gender and family diversity in the curriculum. In France, a 2001 law already set three sessions a year, and since the 2025–26 school year a compulsory national programme runs from nursery to the end of secondary school. This legal framework ties in with sexual rights.

How families can help

• Answer questions when they come up, briefly and truthfully.
• Use the correct names for body parts from an early age.
• Make it clear they can tell you anything without being punished.
• Ask the school which programme it uses and how you can get involved.

If you suspect a child is being abused, speak to their GP or children's services, or call 999 (112 in the EU) if there is immediate danger. In the UK, the NSPCC helpline is 0808 800 5000.