Parents in Loudoun County, Virginia are upset after a “sex life” survey was given to their children without being notified, 7News reports.
Kids at Loudoun Valley High School took a survey that consisted of these questions:
- During your life, with whom have you had sexual contact?
- Have you ever had sexual intercourse?
- During your life, with how many people have you had sexual intercourse?
- How old were you when you had sexual intercourse for the first time?
- During the past 3 months, with how many people did you have sexual intercourse?
One mother told 7News said she found out about the survey when her 14-year-old daughter texted her, saying she felt uncomfortable answering the questions regarding sex on the survey. Her mother just told her to skip the questions.
Virginia law states that before schools give students a survey, parents have to be alerted 31 days beforehand so they can opt their child out if they wish.
The assistant principal Bill Gulgert sent a notification to parents which stated:
Loudoun Valley accidentally distributed the Virginia Youth Survey in two blocks of Study Hall (block 1 and block 5). These voluntary surveys were distributed without families being sent an opt-out form. Loudoun Valley High School regrets this error.
Out of 180 students who were given the survey, approximately 90 completed it. We have communicated with the Virginia Population Health Surveys Coordinator and they have removed data collected from these surveys.
Again, we apologize for this error. Loudoun Valley High School respects the right of parents to be notified in such matters. I wanted to you to know that this data will not be used.
According to 7News reporter Nick Minock, “Loudoun County Public Schools isn’t the only school district in Virginia administering the Virginia Youth Survey that includes sexual behavior questions. Fairfax County, City of Alexandria, Prince William County, and other school districts are also administering versions of the Virginia Youth Survey.”