Promoting safer sex through education

Pupils told: Sex every day keeps the GP away - Times Online

2009-07-12T12:06:00.001-07:00

Pupils told: Sex every day keeps the GP away - Times Online

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Not long to go....

2009-06-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Online Event Registration - Powered by www.eventbrite.com

Contraception & Sexual Health Study Day

2009-06-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

An update day for people working with teenagers

Contraception Education invites you to our "Contraception and Sexual Health Study Day" where you can learn the latest news and research based practice.

A sexual health and contraception update day for teachers, youth workers and health professionals. We will spend the morning focusing on preventing pregnancy, and the afternoon looking at preventing S.T.I's. The day will be interactive and informative and all teaching materials will be included in a package for delegates.

Most up to date research - Opportunities to meet like minded professionals - Delivered by very experienced trainers - Networking. If you want to book your place, it's here.

To book to this event, you can go to cashstudyday.eventbrite.com as well.

Behaviour change - through Buddhist Meditation

2009-03-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

A powerful example of how Vipasana was used in prison to bring about behaviour change. This has applications for all health professionals and others looking for a way to bring about changes.

Number 10 TV

2009-03-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Sex and Relationships Education Week on Teachers TV

2009-01-17T03:07:00.000-08:00

This week is Sex and Relationships EducationWeek on Teachers TV, so teachers will have the opportunity to see many programmes and share ideas in a really concentrated way. Content will be repeated throughout the week and is available in a timetable here.

To help teachers to find useful resources easily Contraception Education has created a quick to access summary page of 4 excellent programmes which focus on different aspects of SRE - Special Needs, Tackling STI's, Sexuality and Challenging Sterotypes at http://www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk/sdays.asp?news_id=469

Connexions Safe Sex Quiz

2009-01-13T09:02:00.001-08:00

For a great new quiz about safe sex have a look at this on the Connexions website. It has 5 simple questions, true or false answers, giving some very clear infomration about UK legal age of consent, condom availability, emergeincy contraception and the myth that girls can't get pregnant when menstruating. What do you think?

QCA Sex and Relationships Education Units

2009-01-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

QCA Sex Education Units of Work and useful websites are available here

Contraception Education's visit to China

2008-12-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

To find out all about our recent trip to China please visit this page and to follow press coverage please click here

Compulsory PSHE, maybe?

2008-10-24T03:58:00.001-07:00

Schools Minister announces statutory PSHE

DCSF has published the report by the group that was established
to review the delivery of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) in
schools; and the Government response to the group's report.

The review was announced in the Children's Plan, in December 2007. The
steering group that undertook the review comprised practitioners
involved in the planning and delivery of SRE; experts in young people's
sexual health; representatives of faith groups; and young people. The
review was co-chaired by Schools Minister Jim Knight, Jackie Fisher,
Principal of Newcastle College and Josh McTaggart, a member of the UK
Youth Parliament. The group's independent report includes a number of
recommendations to Government, designed to improve the quality and
consistency of SRE in schools, to which the Government has responded.

The steering group's headline recommendation is that PSHE should be made statutory and be supported by a statutory programme of study (PoS) - in order to give it increased status/priority in schools.

The Government has accepted the arguments for statutory PSHE and agreed to undertake a
review headed by Sir Alasdair MacDonald to consider how to turn the decision that PSHE should have statutory status into a practicable way forward.

In addition, the Government will accept, or agree to consider further, all
of the steering group's other recommendations, designed to improve the
delivery of SRE. Recommendations broadly fall into 6 headings:

Those designed to improve the skills and confidence of those who deliver SRE - the key delivery challenge;

Those designed to encourage greater use of external professionals and agencies to support schools' delivery of SRE;

Those that address the need for more guidance and support on how best to deliver SRE;

Those designed to increase young people's opportunities to influence the design of their SRE programmes;

Those aimed at maximising the impact of wider Government programmes on the quality and consistency of SRE; and

Those designed to improve leadership on SRE, in terms of both school leadership teams and strategic oversight by Local Authorities and PCTs.

The report also considered how best to ensure that schools and parents could work in partnership to educate children and young people about sex and relationships.

BRING IT ON! Advocates for Youth look at sex education in the current US political climate

2008-10-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Advocates for Youth take a refreshing look at sex education and other reproductive sexual health issues in the current US political climate.

Evidence of the effectiveness of Contraception the Board Game

2008-10-04T01:44:00.000-07:00

Having undertaken a piece of research at the University of Manachester for her Masters in Population Health Sarah Bagshaw has made her report available at Contraception Education. The report follows what happened when groups of young people in a youth inclusion project played Contraception the Board Game in their evening sessions. Findings show acceptability of the game in facilitating open discussion, an increase in knowledge of STI's and change of attitude around the use of condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infection

For more information or to contact Sarah Bagshaw, the author, please contact us here

School's decision to reject HPV Vaccine

2008-09-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

I was struck by two things in the popular press this week - the coverage given to the school where the HPV vaccine was rejected, and the very sad story of Jade Goody.

What is the argument again for rejecting the HPV vaccine? Is it that old so called moral argument that if we protect our young people from a potentially deadly cancer then we will create a promiscuous society? And is the message that if we don't, then there will be no unprotected sex and we will all live happily ever after? Or is it, if you have unprotected sex then you must face the direst of consequences? I don't like what I'm hearing.

Those unfortunate teenagers will not have the same opportunity to look after their health if the vaccine is only offered off school premises. It is often people who do not access their own doctors who are the most at risk of many diseases, for many different reasons, so their school would have been a great place to offer the vaccine.

Jade has had one of the worst outcomes and love her or hate her the images we are seeing of her are very strong and heart rending. If giving the vaccine can protect others from having this experience then every single vaccine is worth it. People who propose that mass vaccination is a bad idea need to grow up and to broaden their minds so we can really protect the health of our teenagers NOW. It makes more sense in every way to avoid disease, to avoid surgery and to avoid all the heartache that having a totally preventable cancer can bring.

I don't doubt that we need to promote safer sex (or abstaining/delaying first sex, if that is right for a particular school). We do definitely need to teach how cervical cancer is more likely to occur when teenagers start having unprotected sex at a young age, are exposed to HPV early in their lives, and maybe from more than one partner. But abstaining from sex will never be everyone's choice.

So, should our faith schools be allowed to "play God" and make decisions on behalf of the teenage girls who will go on to develop cervical cancer as a result of not being adequately protected?

What resources do we make and what training do we do?

2008-09-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

A few people have said to me recently that they would like to know exactly what we do and what resources we make, so to make it quick for you, here's a one minute slide show.

Barbara Hastings-Asatourian and Lisa Brotherton on Granada Edition

2008-09-07T03:44:00.001-07:00

This Granada Edition (link to programme) looked at the experiences of 3 young women who had their babies in their late teens, but it also included clips from a sex education session Lisa Brotherton from Glossop Women's Aid and Barbara Hastings-Asatourian from Contraception Education did in the inclusion suite at Glossopdale Community College. It was filmed in July 2008 by Mange2 Media and the sex education component featured Contraception the Board Game. In between these sequences were interviews with government minister Beverley Hughes, Simon Blake CEO of Brook, Barbara Hastings-Asatourian from Contraception Education and a representative from the UK Youth Parliament. The message from UK Youth Parliament was that sex education should be compulsory and comprehensive, allowing young people to make informed choices. The message from young parents was that, with the right support, young people can continue in education and be good parents. Relationships with the baby's grandparents seemed to be very significant, as was the ability to be open and honest with each other in the family and in school sex education. The programme showed the difficulties of being a teenage parent without the all too frequent tabloid demonisation of teenagers or intrusion into privacy.

Women Inventors Symposium in Johannesburg

2008-09-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

South African President and Deputy President inaugurate Women Inventors Symposium in Johannesburg

Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, and Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka both attended last week’s South African Women Inventors and Innovators Symposium. Many of the country’s female ministers and around 1,500 women entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators from Africa, Europe and South-East Asia packed the Gallagher Conference Centre to take part in the launch of the Pan-African Women Inventors and Innovators Network and to honour many of those who have made the greatest contribution to encouraging women to play a full role in the continent’s economic and social development.

The two-day event is a joint initiative between the South African government and the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN), the organisation behind the well-established British Female Inventor & Innovator of the Year Awards. The theme of the launch event is ‘boosting sustainability through innovation’. According to Mrs Bola Olabisi, Founder and CEO of GWIIN, the event has achieved all its objectives of highlighting the actual and potential contribution of women to social and economic development throughout Africa. “We know from GWIIN’s activities in the UK and Europe that by encouraging and giving recognition to innovative women, they gain the confidence to start up or develop enterprises that can help solve many problems, especially in areas such as healthcare, energy efficiency, education, agriculture and technology.

South African Government Minister Ms Buyelwa Sonjica welcomed delegates to the symposium and explained how much had been done to include women in the country’s government under the presidency of Mr Mbeki. Mrs Olabisi reinforced this message and presented the President with an award in recognition of his commitment to encouraging women to play a greater part in innovating and finding new approaches to economic and social development. In accepting the award, President Mbeki acknowledged that he was in fact accepting an ‘instruction’ to continue his strategy of encouraging women to play a full role in the country’s development.

South Africa’s President Mr Thabo Mbeki receives his award from Mrs Bola Olabisi of GWIIN at the launch of the Pan-African Women Inventors and Innovators Network in Johannesburg on 27 August 2008.

Over 1500 delegates were at the South African Women Inventors and Innovators Symposium and the launch of the Pan-African Women Inventors & Innovators Network on 27-29 August

Preparing to visit the World Health Organisation and International Red Cross in Geneva

2008-08-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

We are busy preparing for our visit to Geneva on 22nd, 23rd and 24th September 2008, and have produced the following slideshow to show what we have been doing so far.

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SPOOF Spray-On Condoms Commercial

2008-08-24T04:39:00.001-07:00

Just for fun, a spoof - "Germany has developed a new technology in safe sex. This is the ad. Use at your own risk".

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CONDOM RINGTONE - What do you think?

2008-08-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

I have just been forwarded this article from today's news. It describes the use of ringtones to promote a safer sex message in India.
http://tech.uk.msn.com/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=9273447

"Safe sex ringtone sings 'Condom, condom!'
Ever heard a safe-sex promo sung in multipart harmony? Have a listen to the 'condom a cappella' ringtone. Just launched in India -- where approximately 2.5 million people are living with HIV -- it's part of a three-year ad offensive aimed at making condom use there more socially acceptable. And it's actually quite catchy.
The ringtone marks the latest phase in the mass-media campaign, which has placed ads on television, radio, and film, and in print and outdoor media. Ultimately, the HIV-prevention messages are expected to reach an estimated 52 million men.
According to international charity BBC World Service Trust, which is producing the ads, the idea behind the condom ringtone is 'jo samjha wohi sikander' ('the one who understands is a winner'). To wit: an ad promoting the new ringtone depicts a wedding, where a mobile ringtone buzzes with a loud "Condom! Condom!" Embarrassing for the man holding the phone? Not even. The reaction of those around the red-faced guy is to see him as smart and responsible.
"Ringtones have become such personal statements that a specially created condom ringtone seemed just the right way of combining a practical message with a fun approach," said Radharani Mitra, creative director of the BBC World Service Trust India.
The campaign is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The National AIDS Control Organization is also using the ads to support its condom promotion efforts.
The ringtone, which can be downloaded both via SMS or the Web site condomcondom.org, has reportedly been downloaded more than 60,000 times in the last 12 days. And trust us, it's much better than that other safe-sex ringtone: We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off. "

Positive Perspectives from George House Trust

2008-07-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S BLOG HAS BEEN VERY KINDLY CONTRIBUTED BY KATH MORGAN FROM THE GEORGE HOUSE TRUST - Email: kath@ght.org.uk or Phone: 0161 274 4499

George House Trust is the leading HIV social care charity in the North West. We are currently expanding our Positive Speakers’ Programme as part of our wider campaign to challenge HIV related stigma and prejudice.

The Positive Speakers’ Programme provides opportunities to hear personal accounts of living with HIV and access useful facts and information about HIV. The Programme works with schools, professionals, and voluntary and community organisations.

We work with a diverse range of Speakers and sessions can be tailored for the age group, information needs and work of your organisation.

Positive Speakers challenge myths and stigma surrounding HIV, promote a safe sex message and encourage a deeper understanding of people’s experences of living with HIV. We can also provide supporting literature and information resources to complement the talk/presentation.

For further information about the Positive Speakers’ Programme, please contact Kath Morgan by email: kath@ght.org.uk, phone: 0161 274 4499

Further details on the programme and about the other services offered by George House Trust can be found on our website: http://www.ght.org.uk

Teenagers want to talk more to their parents about sex

2008-07-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

A study by author and agony aunt Anita Naik found three-quarters of 11-to- 14-year-olds wished it was easier to talk to their parents about sex.... BBC News on-line reports on this in full today on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7521443.stm and includes a short video of mums and daughters as vox pops.

Protect and Respect Conference

2008-07-24T00:20:00.001-07:00

We ran our "Protect and Respect" conference last Friday 18th July at the Salford Innovation Forum, and it went really well. Evaluations were excellent and we are now putting together a short film about the day. Keep an eye on http://www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk/news.asp for the presentations and video clips as they're completed.

Durex Network News

2008-07-24T00:18:00.000-07:00

I was forwarded this link yesterday and find all of the reports really interesting. Please let us know what you think.... http://www.durexnetwork.org/en-GB/research/faceofglobalsex/pages/default.aspx

Julie Wray writes about Children with HIV

2008-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

I read with sadness the article in The Observer on 13.7.08 ‘HIV children turned away from schools’ by Jacqui Thornton. My attention was drawn to the ignorance and controversy facing many children living with HIV and their right to be educated. According to Thornton many teachers, schools and local education authorities are practising with fear and ignorance about the consequences of allowing children with HIV to attend school. It appears that some children are being refused a school place, or upon learning that a child has HIV, are asked to leave, or breaches of confidentiality are occurring. Examples from real cases highlight that the main issues are mostly based upon fear, fear of transmission and confidentiality in relation to the child and family. I have to say I was quite shocked that such fear exists especially as such practice is contrary to the facts and knowledge that are well known and published about HIV.

A few facts:

There are about 1,500 children living with HIV in the UK, including 1,000 under 15.
On average just over 100 children are diagnosed with HIV in the UK each year.
HIV cannot be passed on by spiting, biting, small cuts or grazes, sharing utensils or toilet seats.

Resources for teachers about HIV in schools are available from http://www.nat.org.uk/

The National Aids Trust is campaigning to improve things for individual families and children. If you are able to support and make comment do contact the National Aids Trust at http://www.nat.org.uk/

Contraception Education works with schools and teachers provides resources and workshops to inform and educate people about all sexual health matters, including HIV, in particular "Safer Sex: An Interactive Learning Resource" on Video and DVD produced in collaboration with Brook Manchester and "Play-it-Safe" a CD game developed specifically for South Africa

Brook calls for compulsory sex and relationships education in all schools

2008-07-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Speaking to BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat Brook’s Chief Executive, Simon Blake, called for all UK governments to ensure that all children as soon as they enter primary school will receive sex and relationships education in schools.
Simon Blake said:
“If we get high quality sex and relationships education in every primary and secondary school across the UK all the evidence shows teenage pregnancy rates will continue to fall and will improve young people’s sexual health.
“Whilst sex and relationships education continues to be patchy another generation of children and young people do not get the education they need to form healthy relationships and protect their sexual health.”
Brook wants every primary and secondary school to be legally required to provide sex and relationships education and secondary schools to ensure that young people have access to free confidential contraceptive and sexual health services.
Brook is undertaking a public vote asking the question, Do you agree that Government must ensure that all children and young people get education about puberty, relationships and sex at primary and secondary school? To register your vote please see www.brook.org.uk.
For media enquiries please contact Natalie Collyer, Press Officer, on 020 7284 6062 or 07500 786 762