Period Product Survey Results Revealed

More than 60% of Jersey students who replied to a survey reported feeling embarrassed about finding it difficult to get period products.

The survey was launched after more than 2,200 people signed a petition, calling for the government to make menstrual products free for all.

In 2020, Scotland became the first country in the world to do that.

Channel 103 was told in January 2022 that it had received around 370 responses to the survey.

More than 10% of respondents reported missing school or college because they couldn't get the products when they needed them, with 23% getting there late and more than 25% leaving early.

Around 60% felt anxious and worried and around half said it made it difficult for them to concentrate.

More than half said they've found it difficult to get period products.

The main reason for that was being 'caught short' - not having them on hand when needed.

Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin says these results must be treated with caution as it wasn't a representative survey.

"As such the findings cannot be used to demonstrate the scale of the issue in Jersey, rather they reflect the views and experiences of some students who chose to respond to the survey.

However, the findings do reflect the issues and challenges identified in other jurisdictions.

I will update the Assembly on the next steps for this project on the 29th March."

Senator Kristina Moore has lodged a proposition to make period products tax-free in Jersey.