In this era of #metoo I was shocked by a recent CNN article (https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/29/health/sex-education-consent-in-public-schools-trnd/index.html that reported only 8 states require consent education within their sexual education curriculum. The article also contained a table showing all 50 states and I was stunned to learn that Indiana does not require consent education, but also does not require sexual education at all.

According to the HHS.gov, as of 2015, Indiana is 17th in the nation when it comes to teenage births. More horrifying is that according to a state commissioned report (https://www.in.gov/children/files/An-Investigation-into-Adolescent-Sexual-Assault-Underreporting-in-the-State-of-Indiana.pdf Indiana as of 2015, ranks 2nd in the nation when it comes to forced sexual intercourse of girls under the age of 18. In that same report 1 in 6 females have been sexually assaulted before the age 18.

This is simply unacceptable. Please join me in signing this petition to ask Senator Long and Representative Carbaugh to write a bill and/or sponsor the bill requiring sexual eduction and consent education and for the General Assembly to turn it into law. Regardless of personal or religious beliefs, the mechanics of procreation should be taught along with the fact that consent should be mandatory for men and women. 

Thank you for taking the time to sign my petition, and I encourage you to start one for your state as well. 

Thank you

Jennifer Purdue