Sexual Shame: The Safeguarding Conversation We Avoid

Sex education doesn’t fail because young people are immature.It fails because adults are carrying unprocessed sexual shame.Sexologist, sex therapist and consent trainer Sian Johnson joins us to unpack why sex education, consent conversations and sexual disclosures are so difficult for adults, not because they’re ‘awkward’, but because they activate shame carried in our bodies, beliefs and nervous systems.This episode delves into:The difference between healthy shame and toxic sexual shameWhy sexual shame can stop people reporting abuse or exploitationWhy asking teachers to deliver RSE without proper support is setting them up to failHow shame shows up in classrooms, safeguarding roles and professional responsesThis is an honest, nuanced conversation about what adults bring into safeguarding spaces, often unknowingly, and why ignoring that reality puts both professionals and young people at risk.Because safeguarding is also about what’s happening inside those who hold responsibility.Connect with Sian Johnson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-johnson-37385416/Website: https://sianjohnson.com/Useful Links: https://buymeacoffee.com/cornerstonesafeguarding  - Every coffee you buy helps us keep creating practical tools and content for safeguarding professionals like youTo find out more about Cornerstone Safeguarding - www.CornerstoneSafeguarding.co.uk Email us at Cornerstone: [email protected] in a meeting to discuss your safeguarding needs: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0ZwllED1_R0eAmzurUNbXW6dk92TtCp9BE8oysOnlPwBl3L2vNEooyvSJ3fQaQBk_q1onKflh4Subscribe to Cornerstone Connect - https://www.cornerstonesafeguarding.co.uk/cornerstoneconnectsignup - for fresh safeguarding insights, priority access to support, and exclusive discounts. Chris East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/Leah East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/Producers of this episode: Chris East, Leah EastHost of this episode: Chris East